Barbara Jean Bruning

Barb was born in McCook Nebraska to Lucile and Clyde Noyes. After moving to Lincoln with her family at age two, she became a lifelong Lincolnite.

Graduating from Southeast high school in 1964, Barb went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Elementary & Special Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1971. She spent the early days of her career working for Gallup and Solomon Smith-Barney. In later years Barb worked for the Free Masons and volunteered during the annual Band Camp.

Marrying her high school sweetheart in 1971, Barb welcomed two daughters and excelled in her role of homemaker, acting as “surrogate mom” to many other kids and volunteering as a classroom parent, serving on the PTA, and the East High Boosters. She was also a 50+ year member of PEO chapter FB.

Barb was a talented equestrian from a young age, and enjoyed riding horses into her 70’s. She was a skilled and competitive tennis player and enjoyed playing bridge with her neighborhood group.

Barb was a beloved member of First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln, becoming a church elder, clerk of session, deacon and a leader in the Stephen Ministry program as well as various other committees. In later years she delighted in joining the annual Spring Fellowship trip, exploring remote and rural corners of the state she loved so much.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters Katie Pinch (Nate) and Jen Bruning (Corey Miller), sister Josephine Bowers (Steve), brothers-in-law Donald Bruning (Janet) and Ray Bauer as well as her niece and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephew, extended family and many beloved friends and neighbors. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, sister Cynthia Bauer, brother Ray Noyes, and husband of 51 years Dick Bruning.

Services will take place on Monday March 24, 2025, at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th St Lincoln NE with reception to follow.

Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska, or the Capital Humane Society of Lincoln.