Gwen Marie (Schmaltz) Brunmaier

Click Here to Watch Gwen's Mass

Gwen Marie Brunmaier, 58, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center.  Gwen battled pancreatic cancer for 10 months with strength and grace and the valued guidance of Dr. Rudder, Dr. Spjut and their nursing staff.

Mass of Christian burial will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Griffin as celebrant.

Burial will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements. Friends may sign Gwen’s online guestbook and also view her service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 3-6 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary and continues one hour prior to Mass at church on Tuesday.

Gwen Marie (Schmaltz) Brunmaier was born October 3, 1958, to Christ and Faye (Svihovec) Schmaltz in Hettinger, ND.  She received her education in the Hettinger School System and graduated from Hettinger High School with the Class of 1976.  Gwen then attended Stewart’s School of Hairstyling in Aberdeen and graduated in 1977.  She worked for Hair Design until 1978, when she began employment with 3M, where she remained employed until the time of her retirement in 2014.  During her 36-year career with 3M, Gwen developed many long-term friendships that she cherished.

Gwen was united in marriage to Rick Brunmaier in Las Vegas, NV, in 1982.  The addition of two stepdaughters, Brandy and Mindy, completed their family.  Gwen and Rick loved traveling and always looked forward to their annual Vegas trips and especially enjoyed going on cruises and tours.

In her spare time, Gwen enjoyed arts and crafts, walking and biking, playing board games, visiting Zoos and attending the theatre.  She was a true animal lover, especially of Ragdoll Cats.  Gwen also loved afternoons spent with special friends, hosting holiday gatherings and playing games with her grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared in Gwen’s life are her husband of 34 years, Rick Brunmaier of Aberdeen; daughters, Brandy (Eric) Simes of Minneapolis, MN and Mindy Eggers of St. Paul, MN; five grandchildren:  Sullivan and Sylas Barott, Signe Simes, and Olive and Stein Eggers; her sister, Charlotte Olson of Bismarck, ND; her brother, Wayne Schmaltz of Fargo, ND; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Gwen is preceded in death by her parents and her mother-in-law.