Julie A Brunk

Julie Ann Brunk, 56, of Fort Gratiot, died Friday, June 5, 2026 after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer.

She was born August 11, 1969 in Newton, New Jersey to the late Ray T. and Rose Marie Jacobs. She married her high school sweetheart, Kyle E. Brunk on June 13, 1992 at Hillsdale United Brethren Church.

Julie graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1987, earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hillsdale College, and eventually a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She began her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher for Jonesville Schools, and then spent 24 years as a 2nd grade teacher at Frostick Elementary (Cros-Lex Schools) until her retirement in 2024. Julie was a passionate educator and had a deep love for her students.

Julie was selfless and kind and just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She loved growing in faith with her church family at Colonial Woods Missionary Church, and especially enjoyed time with her “table group” and “coffee buddies” at Pastor Ann’s Bible Study. She was a lifelong animal lover, enjoyed feeding and watching the backyard birds, loved a good card game, and liked long walks, particularly those on the beach where she could hunt for beach glass. She was a wonderfully supportive wife, mother and friend, and rarely missed one of her daughter’s activities or events.

Julie is survived by her husband, Kyle; daughter, Olivia Brunk (fiancé Malachi Mitchell); siblings, Pam (Todd) Winchester, David (Lana) Jacobs and Jef Jacobs; father-in-law, Robert (Judy) Brunk; sisters-in-law, Kara (Erik) Miller, and Christine (Matt) Greene; nieces and nephews, Maxwell Jacobs, Jordan Jacobs, Holly (Heather) Price, Jay Easterday (Michelle Harding), Brian Boyd (Meghan Kennedy), KelliAnn (Ari) Flagle, Noah (Alexandria) Miller, Drew Miller and Jacob Greene; several great nieces; beloved pets, Lainee and Mia; and her “grand-kitty”, Charlie.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Karen (Bob) Cole; mother-in-law, Connie (Tim) Smith; nephew, Jacob Winchester; great nephew, Baby Jay; and “grand-kitty”, Nugget.

A memorial visitation will be from 1-4 & 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026 at Colonial Woods Missionary Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Colonial Woods Missionary Church or Blue Water Love on a Leash therapy dog club.