Kim C. Brunssen
Kim Carl Brunssen, of Westmont, IL, passed away March 10, 2023, at the age of 69 following a battle with brain cancer.
Kim was born in Vinton, Iowa, on January 9, 1954, the fifth child of Dallas and Phyllis Brunssen. He was baptized February 7, 1954, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Garrison, Iowa and was confirmed April 28, 1968, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, Iowa. He grew up on a farm outside Garrison, Iowa and, at the age of 12, moved with his family “to town” in nearby Keystone.
While attending high school at Benton Consolidated High School, Kim played French horn and baritone horn in the band and was active in the choral program. He played Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Harold Hill in Music Man. Following graduation, he traveled with America’s Youth in Concert that began with rehearsals in Princeton and concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D. C. followed by a tour throughout Europe. In fall of 1972 he started his college studies at Luther College where he majored in Music Education. He was a member of the Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble, and graduated magna cum laude in 1976. He did graduate work at Kent State University as a scholarship recipient to the Blossom Festival School of Music, Roosevelt University, VanderCook College of Music, and the University of Wisconsin. In 1981 he completed a Master of Science in Music Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
In fall of 1976 Kim became the choral director at Tri-Center Schools in Neola, Iowa. The following year he moved to Illinois to become the first choral director at the newly built Consolidated High School District #230 Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park. In addition to choral rehearsals, music education, and concerts, students experienced music through thirty-six musical theater productions, show choir, choir tours, madrigal dinners, festivals at Andrew, Illinois Allstate Festival, Dorian Music Festival, and IHSA Solo and Ensemble competitions. He was awarded the Superintendent’s Option in 1985 and was Victor J. Andrew Teacher of the Year in 1987. In his thirty-two years at Andrew High School Mr. B., as his students called him, ignited musical abilities and interests for hundreds and hundreds of students including some who pursued degrees and careers in music. He retired in 2009 and was honored with a surprise concert: Inspired: A Farewell Concert for Kim Brunssen attended by over 400 guests and participants.
Kim and Karen were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, Iowa on December 18, 1976. Their son, Karl was born October 12, 1982. Throughout their married life they were always busy making and teaching vocal music. Karl was at many of his dad’s musical rehearsals throughout his childhood and at the age of eight played a child role in the Andrew High School production of South Pacific. Karl was in all his dad’s choir activities at Andrew High School from 1999 – 2001. Kim directed numerous church choirs and was a counselor for Illinois Summer Youth Music. He liked being near Chicago and enjoyed going to plays and concerts, keeping up with the news, following all the sports teams, frequenting his favorite restaurants, and enjoying his cars. For many years the Brunssens made frequent trips to their vacation homes in the Galena Territories. Kim and Karen enjoyed travel, often for music-related purposes, to England, Switzerland, Norway, France, and Germany with the Bach Cantata Choir of Grace Lutheran Church, as well as trips with friends and family to Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Kim is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen, their son, Karl, and two brothers, Orlyn Brunssen (Kathy), and Gaylan Brunssen (Karen). He is preceded in death by his parents Dallas and Phyllis Brunssen and brothers Dennis and Craig (Joyce).
A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, IL, 7300 Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305 on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 11:00 am. There will be a visitation preceding the service at 9:30 am and a luncheon following at the church.
Kim will be laid to rest at Vermont Lutheran Church Cemetery in Black Earth, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be designated or directed to Grace Lutheran Bach Cantata Series and the Kim Brunssen Andrew High School Choral Awards.
Arrangements entrusted to Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral home & Cremation Services. 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com
As a member of Andrew HS choir and swing chorale, Mr B played such an integral part of my 4 years there. Mr and Mrs B both saw a spark in me that I did not know existed. I am forever grateful for the opportunities given to me to not only perform but the chance to sing solos. My biggest and fondest memory will always be playing the lead female as Marion in The Music Man in my senior year. I am thankful that I got the chance to meet you and Mrs B and share 4 years of my life with you both. I am also thankful that I was able to keep up with the two of you through social media. Mr B, you were just a great man and a major influencer in not only my life but in hundreds of others. Thank you for the love, the encouragement and the safe space that you and the HS music dept gave us. We lost a great man but Heaven gained one heck of a music director. I am sure he is there leading the choirs. We love you and will miss seeing your posts about the restaurants you visited, your trips and your “beloved” new car. Mrs B just know that we are praying for you and Karl and sending love and hugs your way.
Dear Karen,
My deepest sympathies to you and your son for your loss.
Leanne
My deepest sympathies go to Kim’s entire family and all his friends who will miss him deeply. I was fortunate to attend junior high and high school with Kim at Benton Community. He was lighthearted and happy with a smile always on his face. He and a group of other friends sang at my husband and my wedding, which will be 50 years ago this July. Knowing Kim’s talent I am not surprised by his many awards and accomplishments. We should all be so lucky as to have lived a life as full of experiences as he had. He obviously gave and received much joy and appreciation for and from the many people who’s lives he touched during his time here. His life will be carried on through the talent he cultivated in so many people.
What a tremendous loss, but what a beautiful life lived. May you find comfort in happy memories shared with family and friends. Strength to you.
Dear Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss of Kim. You had many years together, but it’s never long enough with those we love.
To a special cousin who’s love for music blessed so many. Our condolences to Karen and Karl as grieve Kim’s passing from this life to glory. May the Lord comfort you and bless you.
In 1991, during my freshman year, (with the help of a close friend that had been in choir with me in junior high school), I discovered an alternative to my home room, as she reminded me that I loved music and singing. She informed me that our high school, Victor J. Andrew, offered an outlet for my love, and I immediately joined this choir. This was the day my life would be forever changed, for I met Mr. Kim Brunssen; known to all of his beloved singers as, “Mr. B”.
It did not take long for he and I to get under each other’s skin – in the best way! After hearing me sing, he slapped me into the Soprano section (as a Soprano II), encouraged me to grow my talent with voice lessons, cheered me on as I auditioned for (and made it into) our Show Choir, musicals (South Pacific and The Wiz), and coached me through to state singing competitions; all the while reminding me that I could do anything that I set my mind (and VOICE) to.
When I was a sophomore in high school (going through a rebellious phase), Mr. Brunssen always stood up for, and looked out for me. During my lunch hour (to help keep me out of trouble; I now see in hindsight), he allowed me to assist him, and act as his “Teacher Assistant” for our Treble Choir; which helped to foster my love of music, and music performance even further! This taught me to work with other performers in another important way. I was even given the opportunity to accompany on piano from time to time; my music education was growing, and so was my love of music.
Because of Mr. Brunssen, and his believing in me, I believed in myself, and my musical abilities. Later in life (after high school), I went on to perform solo, as well as with bands at numerous major venues all across Chicago, and the Chicagoland area; some even with other former choir members! In fact, some of my very first stage performances were with one of my closest friends from choir and show choir, and they were fantastic. We could not have harmonized, nor composed our music (as well as we did), if it hadn’t been for our years in the VJA choirs, under the guidance of Mr. Brunssen.
I am certain that ALL of the VJA choir members will credit Mr. B. for gifting us this very same precious, life long love of singing, music, and performance.
The world now feels a little less “Musical” to me.
I will never forget everything that Mr. Brunssen gave to me, for it has shaped the very musical person that I am today, and that I will always be.
He was, “One, singular sensation”!
Rest in Peace, Mr. B.
Kim was married to my cousin Karen. As a team they were fun, humorous and kind people. I can’t imagine him gone. I’m so sad for Karen and their son Karl. I have so much love for this family.
This is the hardest thing I ever had to write. To be honest I did not want to admit to it. Admitting it meant I would have to accept something that I did not want to believe.
When you work with someone for over 26 years you develop a connection that transcends all time. Kim developed and shaped my ability to be a good music educator. His example, guidance, friendship, ability to motivate, and develop such great talent in students was something I was always jealous of and tried to emulate.
Even though our styles were different what we tried to do as a music department was to provide the best musical experience for all students. It was an honor to share students with him in a department that was being limited by increased student requirements and outside opportunities. He was a strong defender of the music department and he knew how to work and convince colleagues and administrators to work with student schedules so that music was a very real option that they could fit into their schedule.
Kim was always realistic and said things the way he saw them even if you didn’t like it. Always with class but still being very insistent on what he thought.
Since we were for a long time the only two in the music department and we were only two years apart in age, our families grew in parallel. Each having only one child to dote upon and brag about. We were like the “odd couple” as far as our offices were. Kim always had everything in place and always knew when someone was messing around in his office. My office on the other had seemed to reflect the aftermath of series of tornadoes. Despite of this difference, we worked so well together.
It was especially during musical times. I observed and experienced the sheer breathe and scope of his talent. He was able to mold his students into being their best and present a show of broadway quality year after year(and even in the gym).
Yes, not all the times were rainbows and unicorns, but his support and determination lead us through some very rough and tumultuous events.
After we retired, Kim retiring a year before me, we went our separate ways pursuing passions we couldn’t do when we were devoting our time to Andrew High School. During sporadic meetings through the years, we alway picked up were we left off. Filling each other in on our lives and what we plan on doing. Kim defined the essence of class and dignity throughout his teaching career and in life. His bond with his students is so strong and he continued to keep in touch with them well after graduation and offering advice when they asked for help. Often running into them at various events and venues. His student lives were forever changed by knowing Mr. Bunsen.
I know my life and career was changed by having Kim as my colleague. To borrow from a musical, “some people come into our lives for a reason. To learn, to led, to help us grow, but I know I’m who I am because I knew Kim. So much of me is what learned from Kim and I was changed for the better because I knew him.
You will also be with us and rest in peace.
My love to Karen and Karl.
Dan
I was a “younger” member of Nordic Choir and I remember Kim as being a solid, reliable singer. He seemed quiet to me but was incredibly talented. He was a role model to me. Rest in peace, Kim. My condolences to the entire family.