Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Rev. Horst D. Bruenjes
Reverend Horst D. Bruenjes, 66, of rural Fairchild, Wi., went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, May 30th, 2013. He passed away peacefully at home, with family at his side, after a long battle with kidney cancer.
Horst Dieter Brünjes was born May 22nd, 1947, in Berlin, Germany to Wilhelm and Herta (Klimpel) Brünjes. His father immigrated to the United States in January 1953, followed by Herta, Horst, and younger brother Manfred in March 1953. Once in the U.S., the family moved several times, before settling in Rutherford, New Jersey in 1960. His sister Margaret was born in 1956.
Horst graduated from high school in 1965. He worked full time as a laboratory assistant until circumstances led to him enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1967. This made it possible for him to quickly become a U.S. citizen. He served at various stateside locations as a surveyor and draftsman and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant with an honorable discharge in 1971. During his service, his brother Manfred passed away from cancer at age 20.
He then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he met his wife Eunice Benson. They were married August 25th, 1973, while he was still in school, after he had spent his junior year studying abroad in Bonn, Germany. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Horst worked as a restaurant manager before starting work at WHA TV/FM in Madison, Wisconsin, which began a 25 year career in public broadcasting financial management. In 1976 his son Manfred was born. In 1979 the family moved to Sacramento, California, where he worked as Chief Financial Officer for KVIE TV until 1987. In 1983 his daughter Monica was born.
In 1987 Horst began work at KPBS TV/FM in San Diego, California, eventually becoming the Associate General Manager for Administration and Finance. During this time he served on the national board of the Public Broadcasting Manager's Association and was active in the community.
In November 1993, he accepted God’s call to the ministry, and starting pursuing a seminary education in January 1995. He attended night classes for seven years while working full time for KPBS. In June 2002 he received his Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Seminary in San Diego, and was ordained at La Jolla Christian Fellowship in January 2003. He retired from KPBS in July 2002 to focus on ministry full time.
He served as Associate Pastor at La Jolla Christian Fellowship September 2002 to June 2007. While at La Jolla he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March 2006. After successful surgery, he resumed ministry and was later called to serve as Senior Pastor for the First Baptist Church of Augusta, Wisconsin in June 2007 and continued to serve until August 2012. While in Augusta he became fully involved in the community, loved the people, served on the nursing home board, and worked with other churches in the community to help people know the Lord.
Horst loved to travel and visited most of the U.S. states, and at least 20 foreign countries. He went on mission trips to Germany and Austria, as well as many family vacations. He enjoyed reading history and philosophy, bird watching, and listening to music including opera and German folk music. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining dinner guests.
Horst was compassionate, modestly never ceasing to do what needed doing, always listening and sharing his wise counsel.   For difficult situations he would often advise, “Just take it one step at a time.� He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Eunice, son Manfred and his fiancée Jennifer of Warrensburg, Missouri, daughter Monica of Fairchild, Wisconsin, sister Margaret (Don) Golabek of Clifton, New Jersey; his mother-in-law Margaret Benson of Fairchild, Wi., brothers-in-law Arnold (Lora Jean) Benson of Kunming, China, and Paul Benson of Fairchild, Wi., and sister-in-law Karen (Floyd) Bates of Damascas, Oregon; Horst has nieces and nephews Jennifer (Robert) Moore, Jason Golabek, Michael, Joshua, and Emilee Bates, Daniel (Christina), Andrew, Alyssa, and Caleb Benson. He was godfather to Jason Golabek, and married Jennifer to Robert Moore, and they have daughter Ashlyn. Horst maintained relationships with many extended family members and friends in Germany and the U.S and is affectionately called Opa (grandpa) by Jennifer’s daughters Shadow Winter and Aerica Neeland of Warrensburg, Mo, and Elizabeth (James) Burleson of Joplin, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his father Wilhelm Bruenjes, his mother Herta Bruenjes, and brother Manfred Bruenjes.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Monday June 3rd, 2013, at Anderson Funeral Home, Augusta.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday June 4rd, 2013, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of Augusta, Wisconsin. Internment will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta, with a luncheon at the church afterwards.
