Mary Brunsen

Mary A. (Jensen) Brunsen, 90, of Waseca, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024 at her home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street South East in Britt with Father Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt.

Mary passed away at her home on Dec 6th 2024. Mary Ann (Jensen) Brunsen was born on May 26th, 1934 to Otto Raymond (Ray) and Anna Marie (Lechman) Jensen. She was the first of five children, sister Shirley, brothers Paul and Pete and younger sister Kathy. Mary attended school and graduated from Britt High in 1952. While going to school she also worked at the Ben Franklin 5 and 10 soda fountain. After Graduation she went to work for the local Insurance company.

Mary and August (Buddy) Brunsen were married on November 26th 1956. They had three children Debora (Deb), Dean and Duane. In 1966, they moved to Bloomington Minnesota. Mary went to work for Holiday companies as a cashier and worked her way up to Head Cashier then Cash Office Manager and eventually moved to the main office in the credit department. Mary retired from the same company (Holiday) three different times mainly because they basically kept asking her back and she was the kind of woman who could never turn down someone in need. Her husband (Buddy) passed away June 22nd 2011. After his passing, Mary stayed in their home until November 2015 when she moved to Wasec,a Minnesota in order to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Mary loved to read Danielle Steel Romance novels, which were among her favorites; however, she’d read pretty much any kind of book she could get her hands on. Her favorite pastime next to her visits with grandchildren was to sit outside in the sun and read with her “puppies”, Bandit (passed away) and Cooper.

Mary is survived by her brother Pete (Gale) Jensen of Forest City, IA, sister Kathy (Terry) Albers of Mesa, AZ, son Dean Brunsen of Fairmont, MN, son Duane Brunsen of New Richland, MN. Her grandchildren Aryn (Ryan) Karstens of Kasson, MN, Rachael (Adam) Ossefoort of Luverne, MN, Josh Steffl of Chandler, MN, Hannah Brunsen of Waldorf, MN, James Brunsen, Emma Brunsen of New Richland MN, Derek Brunsen of White Bear Lake, MN, Andrew Brunsen of Mankato, MN. Her great-grandchildren Lucas Karstens and Taylor Karstens of Kasson, MN and close friend Delores (Del) Linkert of Farmington, MN.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Anna Jensen, husband August (Buddy) Brunsen, brother Paul, sister Shirley and daughter Debora (Deb) Steffl.

Mary will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to the Lord, strong will, dedication to anything she put her mind to and unconditional love for her family and friends. While being a rock for so many, she was also that soft place to fall when your world was crumbling around you.