Bernice B "Bunny" Traun
Bernice B. (Brunner) “Bunny” Traun, age 94 of Nelson, died June 20, 2025 at AdventHealth-Durand with her family by her side.
Bunny was born on November 19, 1930 to Mary and Fred Brunner. She attended and graduated from Sacred Heart Schools in Lima. After graduation, Bunny attended vocational school in Eau Claire until she started working for Attorney E.S. Pattison in Durand.
Bunny married Robert Traun on April 5, 1951 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lima while Bob was on furlough from service. They immediately left for Ft. Hood Texas where Bob was stationed. Within 4 months, Bob had orders to go to Germany. Bernice stayed with her parents during his tour of duty. Within a few weeks, she started to work for E.H. Shomberg, Manager of Lakeside Creamery, Durand as his secretary.
After Bob returned from Germany, they farmed the Traun family farm in Buffalo County where they were blessed with three children, Robyn, Mark and Bob Jr. After 10 years the family moved to the beautiful Cascade Valley. Besides being a helpmate on the farm, Bunny did off-the-farm jobs—Plainview Canning Factory, Forest Products, Inc. She was a personal home care worker part-time for Buffalo County Human Services for 30 years and she loved all her clients. Bunny was an active member of the St. Mary’s Altar Society. She had many hobbies including a huge garden with Bob selling all the produce they didn’t can or give away. Bunny and Bob especially enjoyed canning together. She also enjoyed crocheting, embroider, playing piano, writing stories and poems. Bunny was always very proud of her family watching them grow and obtain their endeavors. She loved time with family making life fun.
Bob died April 10, 2016 after their 65th wedding anniversary. Bernice move to a condo in Durand where she could be among relatives and friends.
Bunny is survived by her sister, Doris Weiss, children, Robyn Villeneuve of Grand Rapids, MN, Mark (Rhonda) Traun of Menomonie and Bob (Cheryl) Traun of Nelson. Four grandchildren, Zachary Traun, Chad (Haylie), Derek (Jenna) and Vanessa (Jeff), 8 great grandchildren, Lydia, Jillian, Saige, Dominik, Brecken, Ashlyn Traun, Brandon and Emily Olsen. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother, Clarence (Mary) Brunner, three sisters, Margaret (Fred) Bauer, Marian (Roman) Bauer, Sister M. Lola, brother-in-law, Gil Weiss and son-in-law, Gene Villeneuve.
Funeral Mass will be 11:00AM Saturday, June 28, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand with Rev. Emmanuel Asamoah-Bekoe officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00AM until the time of services at the church on Saturday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.