John Bruhn

John Evan Bruhn, 83, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away on August 22, 2021.

He battled the debilitating effects of Parkinson's Disease for almost 2 years and eventually, complications of that disease took his life. He was in the amazing care of Collier Lutheran Hospice during his last week of life, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

John Evan Bruhn was born in Denver, Colorado to Carl Bruhn and Beulah Echternacht Bruhn.   He was the youngest of 4 children, Alice, Carl and Joann. He attended West High School in Denver, Colorado and after graduation, enlisted in the United States Navy.  He met his future wife, Beverly DeLynne Fuller, at Young Life Camp.  They were married in February of 1958 and began the adventure of a career military family.  The Navy took them to Washington D.C., California, Guam, South Carolina, Maryland and eventually back to Colorado where they would retire.  His Navy career included a year-long tour in Vietnam, a year aboard ship on the USS Ticonderoga, a station at the National Naval Recruiting Command and more.  He was an officer in the Medical Service Corp where he and Beverly enjoyed life-long friendships with other families that served with him.  John had a career in real estate following his military retirement.

John and Beverly were married for over 63 years and have four children, Rae Ann Byrnes, Dana McCoy, Susie McCullough and Michael Bruhn.  They have 9 grandchildren (Erica, Katie, Krissy, Danny, Alyssa, Hailey, Isabella, Matthew and Nick) and 6 great grandchildren (Evan, Kyle, Parker, Connor, Wyatt and Wade).  John wholeheartedly loved his family.  He supported his children and grandchildren in school, sports, work and other activities. John rarely missed a football game, gymnastics meet, baseball game, Taekwondo match, figure skating competition, award ceremony, soccer game or choir concert.  He had a competitive spirit himself and loved to support his family in their endeavors.  John and Beverly enjoyed their retirement years traveling across the country in their motor home, taking cruises with family and friends and gathering to cook and play cards and engage in a competitive game of Aggravation.  John was a loyal fan of the Broncos and the Rockies.  During Bronco season, gameday included dinner with the family followed by everyone gathered around the TV cheering for Denver.  In fact, in his last weeks, we gathered around his bed and watched Rockies games and cheered for his favorite players and even celebrated a walk off home run win.

John was known lovingly as “Boppy,” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They would tell you that he loved to tease and never lost his playful spirit.  He was famous for his homemade fudge and cinnamon rolls and his prime rib for Christmas dinner was legendary.  He was never shy about sharing his life lessons with the kids and would frequently engage them in conversation about their future.  He was incredibly proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed hearing about all the latest news and updates of their careers and education.  He always had time to make you a latte and sit at the kitchen table and visit.  Those simple conversations over a latte at the kitchen table will be missed by all of us!

John touched so many lives in his 83 years!  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday September 20, 2021, at Shepherd of the Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8997 West 88th Avenue, Westminster, CO  80021.  A funeral service with full military honors will follow at 2:15 p.m. on September 20th at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO  80236.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to support Collier Hospice Center.  Collier Hospice provided such incredible care to John and Beverly and the entire family during his last days.  Online donations are accepted at www.supportlutheran.org, or checks may be made to Lutheran Medical Center Foundation and mailed to: Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, 8300 W. 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 and reference the memorial for John Evan Bruhn.