Residents’
Review
June 2020
Volume 33,
Issue 6
Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility is an affiliate of CMH, Bolivar, Mo., 417-326-6000
Facility Location: 1218 West Locust St., Bolivar, MO 65613, 417-326-7648
Barbara Brunk
R e s i d e n t o f t h e M o n t h
Barbara Brunk was born April 10, 1940, in Wardell, Missouri as an only child to
Fred and Florence Ephlin. Barbara’s father was in the Army in World War II and her
mother worked in a glove factory. She attended school in Leavenworth, Kansas from
Kindergarten through graduation.
Barbara recalls a couple of memories with her parents that she will never forget. “I
was a young seventeen years old when I graduated high school and my father drove my
mother and I to graduation. We were heading towards a stop sign and my father wasn’t
paying attention. He ran the stop sign and we saw our lives flash before us as we were
almost hit by another car. Three years later, father drove us to my wedding, approached
the same stop sign and once again ran through it without stopping and we were narrowly
missed by another vehicle. My father was really nervous while driving mother and I
to these big events and I guess his mind was not on the road,” said Barbara.
She always loved dancing to country music. In fact, she met her first husband, Sonny, while out dancing.
During their sixteen year marriage, she gave birth to their three wonderful children; her daughters, Melissa and
Chris and her son Ben, who passed away several years ago.
Barbara worked in accounting for Armed Forces Insurance in Fort Leavenworth for twelve years and then as
a secretary for First Command Insurance for another twelve years. She also took a part time job at the bar at the
Lion’s Club in Leavenworth. While working there, she met Patty who was a nurse and they became good
friends. One evening, Patty introduced Barbara to a nice looking male friend who was also a nurse named Les.
He was several years older and she thought he might be too old for her, but she decided to date him anyway.
After three months of courtship, they got married on Nov. 23, 1992, at the First Christian Church in
Leavenworth. She said, “This was the highlight of my life.” Les was a nurse in the Army for 23 years and then
became a nurse in civilian life. The couple spent many nights dancing the jitterbug, line dancing and two stepping
to their favorite country music. Les and Barbara also enjoyed sitting at home watching their favorite country
stars including Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton on television. They were
married for 24 wonderful years until he lost his fight with cancer in 2015.
After Les passed away, Barbara moved to the state of Oregon to be close to her daughters. She said she didn’t
enjoy the rain and the cold temperatures while living in Oregon and asked for the girls to move her to a nursing
home. When they asked her where she wanted to go, she replied, “back to Missouri.” Her daughter Melissa
packed everything in the car and they started their long journey back to Bolivar. She had lived at Citizens
Memorial Healthcare Facility three times before in 1983 and said this is where she wanted to be again.
Barbara enjoys reading Heartland books about rescued horses. She also enjoys tile painting, cross-stitching,
visiting with friends, attending music events and eating cheeseburgers.
Barbara joined our CMHCF family in December 2019, and said the reason she loves living here is because
the staff is always so nice and thoughtful.
Congratulations, Barbara on being chosen as CMHCF’s resident of the month.
Are you a caring individual who would like to assist in caring for the elderly?
Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility has opportunities in its volunteer and nursing program.
For more information call Jeff Miller, interim administrator, at 417-326-7648.