Arvis Brunko

Arvis Arlene Brunko (Chapman) was ushered into the presence of her Lord Saturday, December 6, 2014, with family members at her side at Elim Care Center in Milaca, MN. Arvis Brunko was born May 2, 1922, in Minneapolis, MN, to Frank and Vera Chapman. With her family she lived her early years near Ortly, SD. Her family moved to Hill City during her high school years. After graduation she attended St. Paul Bible Institute (now Crown College) for one semester then returned home to Hill City. There she met James Brunko when he came to be their pastor on the weekends for the summer. They were married May 15, 1943, in the chapel at St. Paul Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN. Alongside her husband, they started their ministry at the Green Grove Christian & Missionary Alliance Church near Spooner, WI, and served churches in WI, MN, ND, MT, ID, and WA. They retired to their home in Pillager, MN, in 2006. She resided there until March 2014, when she moved to Elim Care Center in Milaca, MN.

Arvis was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James Brunko, her parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons, and 4 great granddaughters.

She is survived by her children: James Jr. "Butch" (Barb Schwartz), Larry (Kim), Barbara (Daniel) Almquist, Kathleen (Ronald) Harrington, Bryan (Debbie), Richard (Rena), Ruth Dille, Steven (Berdeen), Deborah (David) Fisher; 33 grandchildren; 68 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; many "adopted by love" children and grandchildren; and many friends.


A memorial service for Arvis will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at 11 a.m., with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at First Baptist Church, 821 River Street South, Pillager, MN.