Rodney Lee Bruner

Rodney Lee Bruner, age 80, passed away on Thursday, July 30 th , 2026 at the Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka, KS. Rod was born on December 22 nd , 1945 to proud parents Frank and Darlene (VanBuskirk) Bruner in Sedan, KS. He was the first child for Frank and Darlene, but would later become big brother to Alan and then Perry. Rod was raised on the family farm southwest of Moline and attended elementary through high school at Moline schools, graduating with the class of 1963. Rod made many lifelong friends while in school, and these friendships were very special to him. He was a proud Moline Hornet and rarely missed an Alumni banquet. After graduation, Rod worked several different jobs. He worked as an equipment operator for Shore & Son’s, worked a stint for Boeing, cowboyed for local ranchers, did some bull dogging in the rodeo circuit, and worked in the oil fields, even spending some time at Camp Lonely in Alaska on a rig. In 1977, Rod decided he was going to go to horse shoeing school in Oklahoma. While there, he met what would become a great buddy that told him about the Double JJ Resort Ranch in Michigan. With his father’s blessing, Rod decided he was going to go there. The Double JJ provided Rod many experiences and adventures, which he thoroughly enjoyed. It also led Rod to meet Janis Palmer, and the two were wed in November of 1979. The couple later divorced in 2001, but shared many fond memories and love in the years in between. Rod and Janice stayed at the Double JJ until 1985 when life led them all over the country to at least 9 different states, working and training buggy, cutting, reining and pleasure horses. Rod was a fantastic horseman, covering every riding style imaginable, even English. Clients wanted him and trainers envied him. Rod trained at the Cozy Point Ranch in Woody Creek, Colorado in the mid 1980’s before moving to the Triple B Equestrian Center in California where he found incredible success. Some of his many accomplishments include 1990 PCQHA Reserve Champion, 1990 VQHA Year End Champion All Ages, 1993 MVPHA Junior Reining Horse Futurity Champion, and something that Rod was extremely proud of, training a young teen from learning to ride to being a AJQHA Junior World Qualifier in 1994. This last mentioned accomplishment shows just how important fostering youth was to Rod, and this was a practice he lived out everyday of his adult life. Rod’s horse training adventures even took him to Italy in 1998, traveling with his loyal companion Sadie, his cow dog. The stories these two shared together were plentiful and memorable. After returning from Italy, Rod spent some time in Chicago as a limo driver. He never knew a stranger and every person that had a chance meeting with him became a fast friend. Rod returned home to Elk County in 2001 after his father’s health issues. The ranch needed him and he answered the call. Over the next 25 years, Rod tended to his cattle, helped countless neighbors and cowboys, enjoyed coffee at the feed store and the Cambridge Café, made even more friends while visiting the sale barn, respected the land, took care of his family, and most of all, loved his life. He still traveled when he wanted and enjoyed time with friends. Most evenings and weekends he could be found in the bleachers at a ballgame, tournament, rodeo, stock show or any other event that was happening where he could support the kids. He was well loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Rod was a member of the Elk County Rodeo Association and the Moline Alumni Association. He faithfully attended church, first at the Elk Falls Methodist Church and most recently at the Grenola Methodist Church. Survivors include brother Alan Bruner of Moline, niece Jessica Bruner, nephew Joshua Bruner, several cousins, and a host of friends that were lucky enough to be called family. Rod was preceded in death by his mother Darlene, his father Frank and his brother Perry. Graveside services will be held at 3pm on Saturday, August 22 nd at the Moline Cemetery. Family and friends may gather after the service at the T Bar Ranch west of Moline from 4pm-6pm to share memories of the wonderful life that Rod lived. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Rodeo Association or the Moline Alumni Association.

Rodney Lee Bruner

December 22, 1945 - July 30, 2026