Leonard J. Brunken…June 10, 1925 – November 21, 2020

Graveside services for Leonard Brunken will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020 at the Bent/Las Animas Cemetery in Las Animas, Colorado.

Leonard J. Brunken was born on June 10, 1925 to John and Virginia Brunken. He passed away on November 21, 2020 in Olympia, Washington at the age of 95.

Leonard was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Quinn on September 28, 1944 in Las Animas, Colorado. They continued to be sweethearts for 70 years until Dorothy’s passing on August 4, 2015.

Leonard and Dorothy lived for many years in Las Animas where Leonard made his career in the Federal Government Civil Services, rising from an entry level position at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Lyon, to the eventual position of Supply Officer within the Veterans Administration. During the 30+ years of his career he and Dorothy lived in many different places in the United States. Having served in the Navy during WWII he remained in the Navy Reserve and retired after 30 years of service.

In their retirement years, he and Dorothy lived in Prescott, Arizona, and for a time they owned a mountain cabin outside of Durango, Colorado, which they loved to stay at during the summer months. Motorhome travel and square dancing were two of their favorite things to do. They loved to travel and see different parts of this beautiful country and they took much joy in visiting with friends and their large number of extended family members.

In 2007 they moved to Olympia, Washington to be near daughter, Linda and son, Robert.

While living in Olympia they hosted many family gatherings celebrating holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, including their 70^th wedding anniversary in 2014.

Following Dorothy’s passing in 2015, Leonard was lovingly cared for by Linda. For a time, Linda visited him every day, cooked for him and did his laundry while he lived independently. When he could no longer drive, he moved into Linda’s home to make life easier for both. By December 2019 it was determined that he needed additional care and he entered a senior foster-care home near to where Linda lives.

Leonard is survived by their 3 children, Robert (Christine) Brunken of Portland, Oregon, Linda Brunken (Jim Canfield) of Olympia, Washington, and Shelley Ballard of Flagstaff, Arizona; 5 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.horberfuneralchapel.com.