Funeral services for Michael Mitchell Gene “Mitch” Brua will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Mitch died in an auto accident on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003.

Michael Mitchell Gene Brua was born Dec. 24, 1979, to Steve and Roxanne (Brenke) Brua in Albert Lea. He was a lifelong resident of Freeborn County. Mitch was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He had attended Halverson, Brookside, Southwest Junior High, and Albert Lea High School, graduating in 1999. Mitch had also attended Dakota County Technical College and was employed as a heavy equipment operator at Contractor’s Edge in Good Thunder. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, all outdoor activities, tennis, golf, hockey, Frisbee golf, and playing pool. Mitch was a member of the Eagle’s Club.

Survivors include his parents, Roxanne and Steve Brua; brother, Travis Gene Brua and special friend, Jen Nelson; Mitch’s special friend, Amy Berg; grandparents, Howard and Theresa Brua and Mary Lou Brenke; uncle, Michael Gene Brua and children, Lucas, Clint, Seth, Troy and Amanda Brua; aunt, Eunice Bolinger and children, Justin and Amber Bolinger, Cody Bolinger and special friend Catie, Danielle and Damian Bure and children, Tyler, Dessman, Ryley and Layne; aunt and uncle, Debra and Gary Chodur and children, Nathan and Sarah; aunt and uncle, Steven and Rosie Brenke and daughter, Amber and Shawn and their children, Sasha, Dillion and Lapre; uncle, Darrell Brenke and son, Darrell Brenke Jr.; aunt and uncle, Darla and Graden Nelson and children, David Villerreal, Tony and Amy Villerreal and their son Angelo, and Colton Nelson; aunt and uncle, Connie and David Talamantes and children, Blake and Adison; and special friends, Joshua Ignaszewski and Levi Hendrickson.

Mitch was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Edward Brenke; cousin, Paul Murphy; his Black Lab, Gunner; great-grandparents; and great-aunt, Rose Hanson.