Janet Ogren Brunsman
May 25, 1923 - June 5, 2012
Resident of San Jose/ Native of Scotland
Janet Ogren Brunsman passed away Tuesday at home with her children by her side. She was born in Abington, Scotland. She immigrated with her family to Oakland, California in 1927. Janet loved God, her family, friends, books, and flowers. As the eldest of four children, Janet learned the value of hard work and education.
After graduating from Oakland High School and Merritt Business College, she worked for Henry J. Kaiser while he was founding Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation. After WWII, she met Vern Gustaf Ogren and they married ten months later on July 8, 1947. They raised their family of three children in Albany, CA, until Vern took a job with IBM. After a year of training in NY, the family built a house in San Jose. Janet, not content with her education, started at SJ City College and finished her teaching credential at San Jose State College graduating with great distinction. She taught for 20 years in Alum Rock Unified School District. Janet made many friends and kept them throughout her life.
After Vern's death in 1973, she continued to teach and traveled to Europe with friends. In 1979, Janet married Edward Brunsman. They merged their families and friends and enjoyed movies and plays. They both retired from teaching. Janet spent time pursuing her interests, family, travel, books, ceramics, and gardening.
Family was always a top priority for Janet. She was predeceased by her sister Margaret, and brothers James and Robert. She has been a great friend and given unconditional love to her three children and friends. Janet enjoyed her seven grandchildren and their children. Her youngest great-grandchild is Lyndon Janette in her honor. She is survived by her husband of 32 years Edward Reardon Brunsman, daughter Cathy and husband Bob Davies, son Paul Ogren and wife Amelia Chao, daughter Jenny and her husband Gary Swanson, stepdaughter Anne Del Castillo, and stepdaughter Loretta Reese and her husband Don. Also her seven grandchildren: Jason Farwell, Joseph Farwell, Gustaf Farwell, Georgene Szylagi, Norman Huang, Samuel Swanson, Anna Brunkal, 8 great-grandchildren, and her beloved Godchild Claudia Farbman. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews including Lori Herman and Robert Roddick Jr. Many thanks to San Jose Kaiser Hospice that helped provide love and care for Janet and enabled her to die at home.
A celebration of Janet's life will be held Sunday, June 10th at 1:00 at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1550 Meridian Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125, with a reception following the service.
