JoAnn Marie “Toombs” Brunig, 65, of Kimball, died January 30, 2011 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.  Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the Cantrell Funeral Home with Pastor Harry Dietz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice.    The services for JoAnn have been entrusted to Cantrell Funeral Home.

JoAnn was born September 20, 1945 in Kimball to Kenneth Robert and Bernita Marie (Swanson) Toombs.  She attended country school at District 16 and graduated from Kimball High School in 1963.  As a youngster she worked on the farm and was a member of the 4-H.  After high school she attended Kearney State College.  After college she moved to Denver and was involved with administration and bookkeeping in various livestock, agriculture financing and technical entities.  JoAnn and Art Brunig were married on September 18, 1982 in Golden, CO.  The couple had two daughters.  JoAnn found her calling working with children with disabilities.  She loved working with these children and her caring concern was shown in her work.

She was a feisty, independent and strong woman who was not afraid to speak her mind.  She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.  She was a wonderful conversationalist and liked to meeting new people.  JoAnn was a great mom and was full of old sayings and wisdom.  She enjoyed hosting international exchange students.  She loved to put skits together for family reunions, and she also enjoyed crafts and garage sale shopping.

Survivors include her daughters, Tessa Brunig of Arvada, CO and Laurie Brunig of Arvada, CO; brother, Rich Toombs of Kimball; aunt, Maxine James of Kimball, and sister-in-law, Wanda Toombs of Wheatland, WY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art Brunig, and brother Dr. Robert E. Toombs.