Obituary of Anne M. Brucker

Legacy

Anne M. (Risko) Brucker was welcomed into God’s loving arms on March 28, 2023. She was a loving daughter, doting wife and devoted mother and Nana. Born to Vendelin (Wendel) Risko and Katherina (Katherine) Kundus Risko of Kuty Slovakia. Wendel and Katherine later immigrated and met in the United States and settled in Lebanon, PA where they raised their family and practiced their faith. Anne is the youngest of 12 children. She was very proud of her Slavish roots and culture and shared that with her daughters and friends.

Family and service to her church were very important to Anne. She had a very strong faith. She believed in living her religion through love and service. She was very active in her home parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius (Currently, St. Benedict of the Abbot) helping in the kitchen for school and church activities as well as volunteering as a teacher aid in the parish school. Even at 85 years old, Anne led prayer though the rosary at Spring Oak Assisted Living in Berlin where she resided for the last few years. She loved going to mass on Sunday at St. Simon Stock in Berlin, NJ with her daughter Lori and felt comforted in the scriptures, music and friendliness of Father Michael and parish family. She even attempted to exchange conversation with Father Micheal in Slovak. Which they both chuckled about.

If you spoke to anyone at Spring Oak Assisted Living, they would tell you that she was a kind and caring person and attempted to assist other residents make the transition to the facility. She participated in not only leading the Rosary on Friday mornings but also bingo, crafts and watching movies. But Sundays and holidays were spent with her daughter Lori with their regular routine of noon mass at St Simon Stock, lunch and shopping. She valued her time spent with her granddaughter Katherine Anne as well especially during the holidays.

Anne enjoyed the simple things in life, which reminded her of her Slovak roots. She appreciated that south jersey’s Amish Markets carried “Hungarian Nut Roll” which she always corrected and said Slovak kolache. She was a proud mamma last year when her daughter Lori made her apricot kolache for Christmas. She enjoyed Sunday drives with her daughter down to Hammonton where on occasion would venture into the local stores. But it was known that she missed her hometown of Lebanon, PA where she was once part of a large loving family, raised her daughters, worked for decades as a caring and nurturing nursing assistant at Cedar Haven and practiced her faith. The transition to New Jersey at the age of 79 had it challenges, but she was cared for and loved.

Anne was the daughter of Wendel and Katherine (Kundus) Risko, the devoted wife of the late Richard M. Brucker, the loving mother of Lori A Brucker (Pitman, NJ) and Dianne Brucker Pierce. She is the devoted Nana of Katherine Anne Block (Blackwood,NJ), and Justin R. Stuckey Jr. Her only surviving sibling is Rose Spangler (93 years old) of Lebanon PA. Her siblings that preceded her in death are; Katherine Risko Gaus, Helen Risko Corkell Reichard, Mary M. Risko Lauchs, Felix R. Risko, Pauline M Risko Frazier Cekot, Benedict M. Risko, Genevieve Risko Whitman, Caroline M. Risko Flowers, Henry R. Risko, Rose P. Risko Spangler and John W. Risko. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews living throughout the United States and abroad.

Anne spoke of her parents lovingly and missed them terribly. She often spoke of when she sees them again in heaven. odpočívaj pokojne v Božom náručí (“rest peacefully in Gods arms” in Slavish)

Farewell Tribute

Family and friends are invited to a Graveside Service on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 at 1:45 PM in Holy Cross Cemetery, 1810 Jay Street, Lebanon, PA 17046.  Father Michael Laicha will be the celebrant.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Anne’s memory to St. Simon Stock Parish in Berlin NJ Senior’s program; https://stsimonstock.net/CharitableGiving