Phillip J. Brucken

Phillip J. Brucken, 48, of Manhattan, KS, died Sunday afternoon, July 2, 2006, at his home.
      He was born May 4, 1958, at Kansas City, MO, the son of Leo and Agatha Hasenkamp Brucken. He attended Nelson School, Allan School, and graduated from Linwood High School, all in Kansas City.
     Phillip worked in the kitchen of Linwood High School and also at a deli in the Plaza area in Kansas City. In October of 1987, the family moved to a farm southeast of Havensville, KS. Phillip developed major kidney problems and was treated in a Topeka hospital. In the fall of 1994 Phillip moved to Manhattan for dialysis and lived in a care home. He entered the Big Lakes Developmental Center on June 20, 1995, in Manhattan. He progressed to living on his own and was employed initially by the Big Lakes workshop and then by Subway and Carlos O’Kelly’s. In 1996 he won an award as the best achiever.
     He enjoyed riding a moped, playing pool, hunting, fishing, and watching football, especially the Kansas City Chiefs. On September 13, 2001, he survived a moped accident after a pickup truck struck him at a stop sign.
     Survivors are his father, Leo of Havensville; and six brothers, David of Warrensburg, MO, Keith of California, MO, Jerry of Wellington, MO, Paul and Jim, both of Havensville, and Steve of Beattie.
     He was preceded in death by his mother, Agatha Brucken on July 20, 1991, and a brother, Michael, on April 11, 2003.
     Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM on Thursday, July 6, 2006, at St. Patrick’s Church at Corning. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed on Wednesday at 7 PM at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, where he will lie in state after 8:30 AM Wednesday.
     Memorials may be given for St. Patrick’s Cemetery or for the Big Lakes Developmental Center, and sent in care of the family.