Dorothy May Brunken…September 28, 1926 – August 4, 2015

Dorothy May Brunken, longtime Las Animas resident, passed away peacefully at her home in Olympia, Washington on August 4, 2015. She was 88 years old.

Dorothy was born September 28, 1926 in Bent County, Colorado to Joseph H. and Minnie May (Woods) Quinn.   She married Leonard J. Brunken on her eighteenth birthday, September 28, 1944 in Las Animas, Colorado. They continued to be sweethearts for 70 years. Dorothy loved caring for family and putting her special touch within each of their homes. Her cooking and baking were superb, her pies were her specialty. She and Leonard were avid square dancers. Dorothy sewed beautifully, including all of their square dancing costumes, for many years on her Singer treadle machine. Family, friends, activities, and celebrations were Dorothy’s joy.

Even in her last years, the gathering of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews delighted her. She was the core of every party, and her homemade jams and jellies were always on the table. Leonard and Dorothy lived for many years in Las Animas where Leonard’s career with the Civil Service began at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Lyon. The Service then led them to many States, offering opportunities for family to visit and see the wonders of the Grand Canyon, White Sands, New Mexico and the Space Needle in Seattle. During their retirement, Leonard and Dorothy enjoyed their friends and family in their home in Prescott, Arizona and at their summer cabin in Durango, Colorado. They continued their active social life and square dancing and traveled to Mexico, Germany, and the Bahaman Islands.

Dorothy is survived by her three children, Robert (Christine) Brunken of Portland, Oregon, Linda Brunken (Jim Canfield) of Olympia, Washington and Shelley Ballard of Flagstaff, Arizona, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Her spirit lives on through her family, friends, and the love and countless memories she has given us.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sophia Coffield, Josephine Bowman, Mattie Rogers, Katy Dimmitt, Mildred Harvey and her brother, Jack Quinn. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Las Animas, Colorado. Interment will follow at the Bent/Las Animas Cemetery in Las Animas, Colorado.

Interment will follow at the Las Animas Cemetery. Arrangements are by Horber Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held on September 5, at 12:00 at the First Baptist Church, 904 Washington St SE, Olympia, Washington. The service will be followed by a luncheon provided by the church.