BRUNER, Rodney Lee "Rod" - b. December 22, 1945 - d. July 30, 2026

[patyrn]

Rodney Lee Bruner, age 80, passed away on July 30, 2026 at the Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka, Kansas.  He was born on December 22, 1945 to Frank and Darlene (VanBuskirk) Bruner in Sedan, Kansas.  He was the first child born and would later become big brother to Alan and Perry.

Rod was raised on the family farm southwest of Moline, Kansas and attended elementary through high school in the Moline Schools, graduating with the Class of 1963.  He made many lifelong friends while in school, and these friendships were very special to him.  He was a proud Moline Hornet and rarely missed an Alumni Banquet.  After graduation, Rod worked several different jobs.  He worked as an equipment operator for Shore & Sons, worked a stint for Boeing, cowboyed for local ranchers, did some bull dogging in the rodeo circuit, and worked in the oil fields, even spending time at Camp Lonely in Alaska on a rig.

In 1977, Rod went to horse shoeing school in Oklahoma.  While there, he met a great buddy who told him about the Double JJ Resort Ranch in Michigan.  With his father's blessing, Rod went to the double JJ which provided many experiences and adventures which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He also met Janis Palmer there, and the two were wed in November 1979.  The couple later divorced in 2001, but they shared many fond memories and love in the years in between.  He left Double JJ in 1985 and traveled all over the country to at least 9 different states working and training buggy, cutting, reining, and pleasure horses.  He was a fantastic horseman, covering every riding style imaginable, even English.  Clients wanted him, and trainers envied him.  He trained at the Cozy Point Ranch in Woody Creek, Colorado in the mid 1980s before moving to the Triple B Equestrian Center in California where he found incredible success. Fostering youth was important to Rod which he lived out every day of his adult life. His horse training adventures took him to Italy in 1998, traveling with his loyal companion, Sadie, his cow dog.  The stories these two shared together were plentiful and memorable.  After returning from Italy, Rod spent some time in Chicago as a limo driver.  He never knew a stranger, and every person that had a chance meeting with him became a fast friend.

Rod returned to Elk County in 2001 after his father's health issues.  The ranch needed him, and he answered the call.  Over the next 25 years, Rod tended to his cattle, helped countless neighbors and cowboys, enjoyed coffee at the feed store and the Cambridge Cafe, visited the sale barn, respected the land, and took care of his family.  He loved his life and still traveled when he wanted and enjoyed time with friends.  Most evenings and weekends, he could be found in the bleachers at a ballgame, tournament, rodeo, stock show, or any other event that was happening where he could support the kids.  He was well loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Rod was a member of the Elk County Rodeo Association and the Moline Alumni Association.  He faithfully attended church, first at the Elk Falls Methodist Church and most recently at the Grenola Methodist church.

Survivors include his brother, Alan Bruner of Moline, Kansas; niece, Jessice Bruner; nephew, Joshua Bruner; several cousins, and a host of friends that were lucky enough to be called family.  Rod was preceded in death by his mother, Darlene, his father, Frank, and his brother, Perry.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.  Family and friend may gather after the service at the T Bar Ranch west of Moline from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to share memories of the wonderful life that Rod lived.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Rodeo Association or the Moline Alumni Association.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)