Carolyn “Jean” Bruetsch (nee Brignall)
August 25, 1941 – April 1, 2023
Sadly, we announce the passing of Jean Bruetsch on Saturday April 1, 2023 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre with family at her side.
Jean was born in Dryden on August 25, 1941, first child of William Brignall and Marjorie Elliott. She spent her early years growing up on the family farm in Oxdrift where she quickly became the Apple of the eye for all her Aunts and Uncles. The Brignall farm was a beehive of activity where this huge extended family resided and worked together. As the only child in a milieu of adults she garnered lots of attention – some would say spoiled. She attended the Glengoland school for primary education and later Dryden high school where she had a particular flair for home economics.
As a teenager she began to expand her horizons, securing employment in Vermilion Bay at Bratland’s Lodge (now Vermilion Bay Lodge) and at the Maple leaf restaurant (Barr’s Esso). It was here that she met Arnold who was the daily postal driver between Dryden and Red Lake. They hit it off and after a short courtship were married and kids soon on the way.
Jean and Arnold settled in Waldhof and began to make this place ‘home’; spending the remainder of their lives in the community until very recently. Once the kids were in school Jean became the postmaster of Waldhof and the family home became the community grand central. Very often there would be a confusion of traffic in front of their place as people were coming, going, chatting and gossiping. Jean operated the post office from 1969 till her retirement in 2000.
After Jean and Arnold retired they spent a number of years travelling; several occasions to the southern US, throughout Canada and many times to Europe. Often their travels followed the hockey or figure skating trail but many included sharing their adventure with friends or relatives from near and far and venturing into new territory.
Family was important to Jean and she took great pleasure in planning and executing family gathering meals. As our family continued to grow this became more of a challenge and could sometimes exasperate her. But she never would admit defeat. Arnold would always step up and together they hosted many memorable meals, family and otherwise. (Arnold had to make sure there was a top of the line dish washer though!) Jean knew instinctually that these were special occasions and always went to great lengths to try out special new recipes. Particularly desserts! Jean was a life long collector of recipes and has a trickle trunk full still to prove it! In fact, up until last week she was still working with Galan at compiling these into a family cookbook – “Cooking with Gramma”.
Jean’s mobility, and to some degree her motivation, continued to decline after Arnold passed and this ultimately resulted in a move to Patricia Gardens and later to Princess Court. This was a very new experience for her and initially a challenge, but she persevered and developed a new social community that she learned to embrace. She may have appeared to be her older, cool , and collected self but her family and new friends noticed her willingness to join in, develop a new social network and with humor and active involvement continue to expand her interests. It seemed like she was finding a new groove.
Jean is survived by sons, Clinton of Waldhof, Galan (Lucille) of Dryden, Warren (Charlene) of Dryden and niece Carman (Karl) of Waldhof. She has fourteen grandchildren: Neal, Konrad, Rowen, Ahnika, Wilene, Sharlene, Tracy, Tasha, Kaisha, Sydney, Paige, Brendan, Abby, Shala, and Dylan as well as 12 great grandchildren and her sister Karen (Richard) of Montny B.C.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Arnold Bruetsch, parents Bill and Marjorie Brignall, her daughter in law, Jo-Ann Bruetsch, and granddaughter Wilma Oombash.
A Celebration of Life will be hosted at the Dryden Community Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. A light luncheon to follow.
Interment of ashes will take place at the Waldhof Cemetery with a private family gathering on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waldhof Cemetery, Box 201, Vermilion Bay, ON P0V 2V0 or a charity of your choosing.
Condolences may be posted at http://www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
