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Larry Bruno

Posted 2007-01-22 by Casa Grande Valley News
Larry Bruno, 76, passed away peacefully at home in Casa Grande surrounded by his loving family on January 11, 2007. He was born to Frank and Margaret Bruno March 13, 1930 in Choteau, Montana.

Larry attended grade school in Choteau and then transferred to the Bellvue School west of Choteau. Larry spent his early years on the family sheep ranch in eastern Montana. Because of economic times, his family sold the ranch and moved to Kalispell, Montana in 1943. At the age of 16 he joined the Army and served in World War II. Larry worked in the logging industry where he became an experienced "sawyer", cutting down timber in the most beautiful and extreme places in the northwest. He worked his way into the mining industry in the copper mines of Butte, Montana where he was a "contract miner."

After a move to Arizona in 1972, he worked for the Hecla Mine, where he volunteered for a rescue team when two miners were trapped underground. He was given a commendation for the rescue. He later mined for Cementation in several parts of Arizona where he was injured in a mining accident. He also mined in Death Valley, California. Larry went to work for John Walker Trucking in 1979 and worked there until his retirement.

He married the love of his life, Olga Schonenberger in 1955. She preceded him in death in December of 2005. They had just celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Larry was a bronc rider and competed in many rodeos in Montana. He quit when his first son was born at the insistence of Olga. He loved to fish and hunt when living in Montana and became an expert at both.

His Native American heritage was important to Larry. His family was documented in a book that he treasured and he told many stories. He was a member of the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa's.

Larry was a quiet man, but when he had something to say it had substance. He was an artist, but he didn't realize it. However, we his kids, knew it and were anxious to see his latest cartoon. He could build and fix anything. He had a very funny, dry sense of humor that we treasured. He loved his family and he loved his garage, where many happy gatherings of family and friends took place.

Larry is survived by four daughters, Linda (Jim) Stewart of Seattle, WA; Danetta (Tom) Lee of Las Vegas; Karry (Paul Montoya) Bruno of Casa Grande and Heidi Walters of Arizona City; two sons, Mark (Kenna) Bruno of Casa Grande and Jeffery (Theresa) of Arizona City; one sister, Ethel Ellingson of Kalispell, MT; and one brother Daryl (Dusty) Bruno of Mt. Vernon, WA. He is further survived by 13 grandchildren: Yvette Mickelson, April Lee, Jason Stewart, Stacey Stewart, Cody Bruno, Royce Bruno, Lexie Bruno, Torri Bruno, Chance Bruno, Chaz Bruno, Chad Bruno, Lacey Walters and Rikki Walters; and four great-grandchildren: Whitney, Jordyn and McKay Mickelson and Haydn Salcido.

A memorial service for Larry will be held Friday, January 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to RTA Hospice or the Veterans Administration.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2007




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