Rose Marie Brunt

PORTAGE  --  Rose Marie Brunt, age 96, of Portage, died on Monday, July 20, 2015 at her home in Portage.

Marie was born on August 30, 1918 in the township of Buffalo, Wisconsin, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Hardy) Kearns.  Marie graduated from Portage High School.  She was married to John Walter Brunt on September 23, 1943.  Marie and her husband, John, were owners of Brunt’s Café, where she worked from 1948 until 1973.  During this time, they also owned and operated the Cloverleaf Tavern, the Marquette Drive Inn and Marlene’s Kiddie Kampus.  Following retirement from the café, Marie worked at Loreli Dress Shop and Ray O Vac.  She was a member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Women’s Civic League, Catholic Women’s Club, Portage Country Club, Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, and Portage Elkettes.  Marie was an avid bridge player.

She is survived by her children, John (Cathy) Brunt, Dan (Jenny Lynn) Brunt, and Kathy Boyle, all of Portage;  her step-daughter, Beverly Ann Siverly, Swansboro, NC;  twelve grandchildren;  twelve great-grandchildren;  her sisters and brother, Dorothy Thomas, Dayton, OH, Jean Rosmonowski, Fond du Lac, Carol Killoran, Pardeeville, and Thomas Hardy, Pardeeville;  her sister-in-law, Joanne Kearns, Pardeeville;  other near relatives and many close friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Brunt on June 15, 1990, her brothers and sister, Helen Beckett, Thomas Kearns, William Kearns, and Jim Kearns, and her son-in-law, Hugh Steven Boyle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding.  A celebration of Marie’s life will continue after the Mass.  Private inurnment will be held at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic School.