Marilee Lynn Bruty

Marilee Lynn Bruty

Washington

Marilee Lynn Bruty, 85, of Washington, died January 27, 2024 surrounded by her children at the United Presbyterian Home Health Center following a lengthy illness.

Services will be held Thursday, February 1, at 11 a.m. at Jones Eden Funeral Home in Washington, with Father Bernie Weir officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, at Jones Eden Funeral Home; the family will be present to receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Marilee’s name for PAWS & More Animal Shelter, according to her wishes.

Marilee Bruty was born Marilee Lynn Cray on January 4, 1939 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, to Glenn and Maude (Thompson) Cray. She attended school in Riverside and graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary’s High School in Riverside in 1956.

She married Robert Bruty on August 1, 1957. They had five children together. They divorced in 1989.

Marilee was a homemaker and worked over the years as a bookkeeper for Bruty Construction, a computer operator for Seifert’s Central Office, and a real estate agent at Iowa Realty. She also volunteered her time as co-treasurer of PAWS & More Animal Shelter for many years.

Marilee enjoyed spending time with her family. She was an outstanding cook whose meals never disappointed nor left anyone hungry. She loved pets, and they loved her. She enjoyed drawing house plans, watching old movies (especially Esther Williams films), and following Iowa men’s basketball. She was very organized; if a date, name, or recipe was needed, Marilee was the one to call.

Survivors include her five children: Beverly Lyons and husband Dick of St. Charles, Iowa; Norm Bruty and wife Kim of Washington; Marsha Jensen of Washington; Brink Colby and husband Ed of Washington; and Sheila Hanson and husband Chris of Washington; seven grandchildren: Kara Evans (Tyler), Jenna Greiner (John), Lesha Bruty, Kalyn Milburn (Nate), Logan Hanson, Lincoln Hanson, and Keegan Colby; and seven great-grandchildren: Casen Evans, Clayton Evans, Laken Greiner, Lennox Greiner, Layni Greiner, Wesley Milburn, and Noelle Milburn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one infant brother, one infant sister, and son-in-law Curt Jensen.