Jens C. Bruun

Jens Christian Bruun, age 90, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026, at the StoryPoint Senior Living facility in Ankeny, Iowa, hitting a milestone of exactly 90 years, 6 months, and 0 days.
Jens was born on December 3, 1935, in Audubon, Iowa, to Jens Christian and Carrie E. (Jensen) Bruun. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon and graduated from Audubon High School with the class of 1953. On September 4, 1956, Jens proudly enlisted in the United States Army, serving honorably until his discharge on September 3, 1958.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Murray on May 7, 1960, at the Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Together, they shared a beautiful life and were blessed with three children: Amy, James, and Tom. In 1964, Jens began his lifelong dream career as a Game Warden with Iowa's Conservation Commission. His career took the family first to Dubuque, and later to Onawa in 1966. Jens possessed a profound passion for wildlife conservation and loved his work deeply, reluctantly retiring in 2000 only because he reached the mandatory retirement age. Outside of work, he was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and traveling across the country alongside Phyllis.

Following his retirement, Jens and Phyllis spent 10 years in Council Bluffs, followed by a cherished 10-year return to their hometown of Audubon. In November 2024, they moved to a senior living center in Ankeny to be closer to family.

Jens was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis; his parents; his sisters and their spouses, Norma (Paul) Worster, Bernice (Eldon) Adams, and Dolores (Milo) Clemmensen; his brother, Glen Bruun; and his sister-in-law and her husband, Mary (Marvin) Lange. (Note: standard obituary formatting uses preceded in death rather than proceeding).

His legacy lives on through his surviving family, including his children, Amy Bruun of Grimes, IA, James Bruun of Council Bluffs, IA, and Tom Bruun of Ankeny, IA; his four grandchildren, Katie Broshuis of Ankeny, IA, Beau Broshuis of Waukee, IA, Derek Bruun (and fiancé Carolyn Jennrich) of Nashville, TN and Shelby (Bruun) and husband Collen McElvain of Austin Texas; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended relatives.

Public visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.

A graveside service will follow the visitation at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Memorials may be directed to the Jens Bruun Family. They will be designated at a later date and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.