Doris Bruess

Doris M. Bruess, age 87 of Germantown, WI formerly of Lawler, IA died Saturday June 18, 2016, at Ellen's Home Assisted Living Facility in Germantown, WI. She moved to Milwaukee 2 years ago and lived with Debbie and Dennis Prickett until a stroke in late March. A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton with Rev. Nick March presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waucoma. Doris Mae Bruess was born August 3, 1928, in Waucoma, IA, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Dunn) Tomasek. She attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Waucoma High School. Doris continued her education, graduating from a post-secondary school in Omaha, NE, to take a position working for the government. On April 6, 1953, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma, she married Lee J. Bruess. To this union three children were born. Initially the couple lived near Saude and moved to Lawler in the early 1950’s. Doris worked with her sister at Lorraine's Cafe`, and worked at the Lawler Post Office for many years. Doris loved to wash and wax the car and pickup, and gather and split firewood with Lee on the farm. She enjoyed working in the yard, cooking great Sunday meals and being with friends and family. Later in life she became a big Green Bay Packers fan. Her friends, brothers and sisters called her Dorrie. Survivors include one son, Tom (Lynn) Bruess of New Prague, MN; two daughters, Debbie (Dennis) Prickett of Milwaukee; Diane (Steven) Svestka of Decorah; six grandchildren; Alex, Timothy and Luke Bruess, Nicolette (Aaron) Terbeest, Derek and Jarrett Svestka; two great - granddaughters, Gabrielle and Phoebe. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee in 1999; grandson Matthew Bruess at 6 years old in 1989; two sisters, Lorraine Schlichte, and Lois Tomasek; three brothers, William, Mark and Charles Tomasek.