Adeline Eleanor Bunke was born December 28, 1918 in Highland Minnesota, to John and Olga Glenna.
She attended grade school in southeastern Minnesota with her sisters and brothers. She married Paul Bunke on November 18, 1939.
Adeline is survived by her sister Lyla Moger, Winona, MN, brothers Gilman Glenna, Winona, MN, Jerome Glenna, Kasson MN five children, Betty Bellinger, Broomfield, CO Sharon Trollope, Billings, MT Dr. Sonja Holt and husband Deroy, Arvada, CO, Garry Bunke, Terry, MT and Pamela Bunke, Helena, MT. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families Sarah, husband Chris Woods, (Austin and Colton), Boulder, CO Troy, wife Jenny Trollope (Taylor and Lindsey), Billings, MT Tonia Moore, husband Nathan (Taylor and Andy), Billings, MT, Todd, wife Heidi Trollope (Michalea), Phoenix AZ, Terra, husband Sean Fitzsimmons (Colm and Moira), Pelican Rapids, MN, Paula Holt, Denver, CO, Jeffrey Holt, Denver, CO, Jennifer Bunke, Colorado Springs, CO, Amber, husband Josh Nielson (Rusty), Forsyth, MT, Nathaniel Bunke, Missoula, MT and Rachel Bunke, Denver, CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul, brother, Floyd Glenna and sister Viola Himlie.
As I remember the story she met my dad when she attended a country dance and my father was playing in a band. They were singing the song “Sweet Adeline” and she was smitten.
Adeline was proud of her family and favored with many lifelong friends. After spending her early years in Minnesota, living through the depression, seeing many family members go off to fight in World War II, and starting a family of her own, she and Paul moved to Beach, North Dakota to seek an opportunity to get into a farm and ranch operation. Mom had envisioned moving back to Minnesota after a year or so but they grew to like the area and put down roots. This new venture was financed in part by Paul giving flying lessons on the G.I. Bill, crop spraying and aerial coyote hunting, all the while Adeline was busy raising kids, helping feed field hands during harvest, volunteer work with the Lutheran Church, 4-H and school projects with her children and church activities. During the 1960s the farms were sold and leased when Paul took a job with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a pilot and the family moved to Miles City, MT. Adeline worked for Holy Rosary Hospital for several years and later she and Paul got into the motel business, building the Super 8 Motel in Miles City, operating it for about 10 years. Later they acquired the Rails Inn Motel in Forsyth; which they operated for some years and sold in the mid-1990s. I think Paul and Adeline retired about three or four times. It is difficult to talk about Adeline without talking about Paul or vice versa, because they were partners in everything they did. Each supported the other in their endeavors yet each had distinct roles in life. They gave all to their marriage and family.
Her grandchildren, each and every one, were special and very much loved by her you all know that, of course, but it can’t be said enough, you were a large part of her life.
Some things that come to mind as I try to capsulize a full life in a few short paragraphs are road trips to Minnesota in the 1953 Plymouth, packing baloney sandwiches and pop (not many convenience stores back then and little money); lefse and lutefisk at Christmas; county fairs and getting 4-H exhibits ready; my sisters in their poodle skirts and home sewn prom dresses in the 1950s; how shocking it was when Elvis appeared on the scene and later the Beatles; fishing on Beaver Creek; riding my bike to the Mobil Station to get pop for the Saturday night movie on black and white TV (one channel only) while popcorn was being made on the stove; how Mom would always make sure we were dressed up for church and Sunday School; the struggles of farm life in contending with the markets, hailstorms, and what a dream fulfilled it was when we finally got an irrigated place. How huge Miles City seemed after growing up in Beach; Mom’s courageous fight with cancer in the 1970s, grandkids completely taking over the household and Mom and Dad patiently spending time with them and truly enjoying every minute of it.
Christmas, both the church activities and preparations for the holidays, were always a large part of Mom’s life. To say she cooked, baked and shopped does not describe what went on in our household. Baking went on for days and weeks, shopping were real work. She had to make sure everyone was getting what they wanted. Mom was a generous person with others but thrifty when it came to herself. Even in her later years she never missed sending cards and letters and she always knew what her kids and grandkids were doing. She discovered the cell phone, solitaire on the computer and took up reading with a passion in later years, having read over 200 books in her last years at Riverview Villa.
I learned a lot about acceptance from my mother. She accepted big life changes graciously and adapted to the new quickly. Most recently she moved to assisted living in Billings and really didn’t like the idea of leaving all her friends at Riverview in Forsyth. Once there, though she adapted and soon made many new friends and became involved in social activities. Having lived there only a few months, she died the day after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, so I am grateful that God took her when he did.
Mom, Grandma will be missed yet I am grateful that she lived her life the way she did because it makes her passing a little easier knowing that she will be reunited with Dad and is going to the right place.
Viewing will be Friday November 16, 2012 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Chapel of Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home of Forsyth and Sunday November 18, 2012 from 2:30 pm until the service starts. Funeral Services will be held 3:00 pm Sunday November 18, 2012 at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth Mt. Burial will follow in the family plots in the Forsyth Cemetery. Following gravesides services, a reception in her honor will be held at the Reception Room at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home of Forsyth.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
3 PM
Sunday November 18, 2012
Concordia Lutheran Church
310 North 8th
Forsyth , MT 59327
Visitation
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Saturday November 17, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 West Wind LAne
Forsyth, MT 539327
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Piney & Josh Helmuth says
Garry, we are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our condolences on the loss of your Mother and remember, our thoughts are prayers are with you and your family.
Peggy and Earl says
To the Bunke Family,
Earl joins me in expressing heartfelt sympathy to you in the loss of your beloved Mother. May you find comfort and strength in knowing others care, and are thinking of and praying for you at this difficult time. May you find peace in the many beautiful memories of her, and comfort in the love of family and friends.
Ann Johnson says
Rachel so sorry to read about your grandmother,sending you a hug. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Aaron & Brenda Kneeland says
Garry & Family ,
Our condolences on your mom’s passing. Praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time. Aaron & Brenda
Sheeryl Hoffarth says
What a full life — what a marvelous family — things that I will cherish forever are the rummage sales — the day long shopping at WalMart — that graceful acceptance of life with her ready embrace — her cherub face breaking into a grin. Pam, you were a guide for her in these last years. Your companionship and constant gentle love gave to her grace and dignity. My thoughts are with you. Sympathies to you and your family.
Rob and Camille Behr says
Garry and family,
We are so sorry to hear that your mom passed away. Sounds like you have many happy memories to sustain you. Thoughts and prayers to you during this sad time.
Jan Munroe says
Garry, please accept my condolences on the loss of your mom. What a beautiful tribute you wrote for her. She comes to life through your words. God Bless.
Janet & Randy Stanhope says
Dear Amber and family.
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss and we send all our love and prayers your way. Please know you have so many friends who are thinking of you and sending their prayers your way in this time of great sorrow.
Lee Mantz says
To Pam, Garry, Sharon, Betty and Sonja:
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was not only my neighbor, a dear friend and almost like an adopted Mother. We went to many pot luck dinners, shopping and getting beautiful at the Sassy Scissors. She was kind, thoughtful and loving. I will miss her. I saw her in her new home in Billings and she was so tickled I came to spend time. Remember the good times as you, her children and your children and their children, were always the topic of her conversations. I really got to know all of you through our talks. God be with you
Wesley Glenna says
On behalf of Adeline’s brother Gilman Glenna and his family, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Bunke family during their time of sorrow. As I’m certain everyone realizes, my aunt Adeline was a down to earth, loving and caring lady with strong family values. In addition, like most of her siblings, she was a strong Norwegian and brought out the lefse and ludefisk during the Christmas season, much like my dad (Gilman) always does. She will, honestly, be missed by all.
Because of our location, Gilman, Keary, Sheryl, and Aarron in Minnesota, Vincent in California, and me in Wisconsin, we regret that we will not be able to attend funeral services. However, a bouquet of flowers has been sent.
Wesley, Tammie, Keith, Derek & Tara Glenna
Aliceann and Scott Carlton says
Garry,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your mother. We hope you and the family find strength in your memories of life with her and can cherish them always.
Debi Rapstad says
Garry, I was very sorry to hear about your mom – losing a mom is very difficult. I have such wonderful, fond memories of her – quiet, reserved, but ALWAYS a sweet smile.
Take Care, please know that you are in my thoughts.
Debi Rapstad
B Dean Holmes says
Dear Garry and the entire family. Your mother and father were always so kind to me. Sorry for your loss.
Roselane (Miske) Wallace says
Betty, Sharon, and Families,
Our deepest sympathy to you and all of your family. Adeline and Paul are now united in Heaven after enriching our lives with 5 wonderful children and many grands, great-grands, and spouses. I was fortunate to visit Adeline just two weeks ago. Her memory was clear and we visited about the good times in Beach and updated the family news. I also had the privilege of being Todd’s third grade teacher, a few years ago at Rimrock. Adeline left the world a better place and we are thankful for her kindness and precious memories. May God bless each of you. Lani and Keith
Helen (Bares) and Clarence Fischer says
Dear Bunke Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Adeline’s passing. We wish to extend our sincere sympathy. Adeline will be missed, not only by her family, but by all whose lives she touched in her own unique way.
Adeline was like a second mother to me while growing up in Beach. I have many fond memories that I treasure. She even baked our wedding cake in 1958. We stopped to see her in 2010 and had a nice visit.
May she rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord.
David and Danette Olguin says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
GILMAN GLENNA says
I WAS LOOKING AT THE OLD PICTURES TODAY AND AND IT BROUGHT BACK LOVING MEMORIES OF WAY BACK…….SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL
Scott Waldo says
Garry,
Sorry to hear of the death of your mother. From the description above, it sounds like her life was full, and very blessed with loving family, and boundless energy.
Sandie (Waldo) Viall says
Garry, I am glad that you and I had some oppportunities to visit about our parents throughout these past months. I
I certainly could see on your face and hear in your voice the regard and love you had for her.She must have been quite a strong and lively person. I wish I could have met her.My condolences to you and your family,It sounds as though you have many loving memories to cherish
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