Nelda Sue Bruhl
March 11, 1928 - July 19, 2011
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went to be with the Lord on July 19, 2011 with her sons Bob and Mike at her side.
Nelda was born March 11, 1928 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to John T. and Delie M. Flynn, who predeceased her. She attended schools in Shawnee until her family moved to Santa Monica, California in the early '40's. Her family moved to San Bernardino in 1944, and she graduated from High School there in 1946. In 1947 she met William E. Bruhl, shortly after he returned from serving in the Navy Seabees during World War II. Nelda and "Bill" were married later that same year and celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1997. Her beloved Bill went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 20, 2001.
There were three sons born to Nelda and William Bruhl: William Harold, Robert Lee and Michael Thomas. Nelda was a stay-at-home mom since the birth of her first son. Her crown was her three sons and their wives, William "Bill" of Bend, Oregon; Robert "Bob" and Cathy of Bakersfield, Calif; and Michael "Mike" T. and Denise of Gaston, Oregon. She was very proud of her six granddaughters, Heather Bruhl, Rochelle Davis and her husband Bob, Angela Bruhl, Melissa Haynes, Alyssa Bruhl and Monica Bruhl. She was "Mimi" to her great-grandchildren, Mollie, Samantha, Jacob, Katelyn, Kylie, Hunter, Kody, Austen, Katryna and Matthew.
Nelda was a member of Mercy Hospital auxiliary since 1980, and a member with her husband Bill of the Golden Empire Gleaners since 1985. She also volunteered for the American Cancer Society as a driver. Nelda and Bill were Foster parents in the mid-70's to Michael Evans and Robert Metsker and she also volunteered at Parkview Real convalescent hospital. When Bill began to have health problems, Nelda gave up her volunteer work to care for her beloved husband.
Nelda is also survived by her sisters, Georgia Fish of Palm Desert, CA, Thelma Robins of Salem, Oregon, Betty Kruse of Westminster, CA and one brother, Dr. Charles and Mary Flynn of Orange, CA. She was also very fond of her 12 nieces and nephews and their children. She leaves to treasure her memory, her very special friend, William "Bill" E. Kehoe, whom she was blessed to know for these last several years.
A special thank you to the staff at San Joaquin Hospital for making our Mom's last days comfortable, especially those on the "Stepdown" unit who showed compassion to everyone who entered Mom's room. You demonstrated "Sacred Work" in all that you did for our beloved mom. We will never forget your kindness.
There will be a memorial service at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 2500 Fairfax Rd., on Friday July 22, 2011 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Kenny Souers officiating. There will also be a viewing at Doughty Calhoun and O'Meara Mortuary on Thursday evening July 21, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday July 23, 2011 at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 24145 Barton Rd in Loma Linda, CA.
Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara
Funeral Directors
www.bakersfield.com/obits Published in Bakersfield Californian on July 21, 2011