Funeral services for Theresa Ann Brua, 80, of Albert Lea will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. John Traufler and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Private burial will be at Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Theresa died Thursday, July 9, 2009, at Thorne Crest Retirement Center surrounded by family and friends.
Theresa Ann Brua was born on Oct. 10, 1928, to Lawrence and Mary (Whelan) Cunningham in Dubuque, Iowa. The family moved to the Clarks Grove area. Theresa attended the Bethlehem Academy in Faribault. On Feb. 10, 1949, she was united in marriage to Howard Brua at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newry. The couple made their home in the Albert Lea area. Theresa was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea and also the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed coffee parties, bowling, golf, and card parties. Her favorite pastime was reading and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Howard; sons: Michael Gene Brua of LasVegas, Nev., and Steven Dale (Roxanne) Brua of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Travis, Lucas, Clint, Seth, Troy and Amanda Brua; great-grandson, Zaden Mitchell Brua; brothers: Larry (Shirley) Cunningham, Daniel (Carol) Cunningham, Thomas Cunningham CSC, and Martin (Patti) Cunningham; sisters: Margaret (George) Murphy, Mary Kathleen Chagnovich, Rose Marie Pederson, and Ellen (Daniel) Margetich; in-laws: Harvey (Donna) Brua, Charles (Shirley) Brua, Chauncey Brua, Frances (Ross) Peterson, Vivian Brua and Sharon Brua; beloved great aunt, Mrs. Leo (Nellie) Johnson and many nieces and nephews.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Michael Mitchell Brua; nephew, Paul Murphy; brothers: Robert Cunningham and Michael Cunningham; in-laws: Leonard and Minnie Brua; brothers-in-law: Ole Brua, Jerry Brua, Robert Chagnovich and Donald Pederson; sisters-in-law: Clarine Brua and Glennis Brua.