Arlene Bruning

Arlene Bruning, age 85 of Franklin, TN passed away November 7, 2023 at home. She was born in Chicago, IL to her parents Martin and Anna Paveska on May 24, 1938. She lived there through high school with her mom after her dad passed away when she was 8. She met the love of her life, Ronald Oliver Bruning as a junior in high school band where she played the flute and he played the trumpet. She was the first in her family line to attend college and she received her bachelor’s degree in education at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL. After graduation, Ron and Arlene married on April 30, 1960. In 1966 they welcomed their daughter Andrea and four years later, their second daughter Erica. While her career was elementary teaching, she was also able to be a stay at home mom for her girls. She highly valued education for everyone and achieved her Masters of Education later in her career. In 1977 the family moved to southern California where Arlene and Ron stayed for over twenty years. When both daughters moved to Tennessee as adults, Arlene and Ron decided to make the move as well to be close to their daughters and grandson, Mike. They purchased the home of her dreams in Franklin, TN where she lived until her passing on November 7, 2023. They welcomed another grandson, Reilly in 2004. Her beloved husband Ron passed away on April 1, 2008. Arlene enjoyed gardening, musicals and symphonies. She absolutely loved her dogs and had them her entire life; rescuing several. Traveling and good food brought her joy and she loved variety in all things. She was a wonderful cook and kept an immaculate home. She was always there for her family at every practice, performance, activity or need. In fact, meeting the needs of others was a continuous priority where she donated both her time and financial resources. Arlene and Ron served many years delivering Meals on Wheels to others in need. She was smart, direct, feisty and determined even through dementia. As she had hoped, she passed away peacefully in her home that she loved with family by her side throughout her dementia journey. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Ronald O. Bruning. She is survived by her daughters, Andrea Arlene Walters and Erica Adriene Bender (Fiancé Thomas Lubin); grandchildren, Reilly Evann Walters and Michael R. Bender. A funeral service will be held at 11AM Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Harpeth Presbyterian Church. Visitation will take place immediately following the ceremony. A private burial will take place in Williamson Memorial Gardens. In honor of Arlene, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in search for a cure.