Carolyn Bru, 71 of Montezuma passed away in her sleep Saturday morning, June 15, 2024 at her home near Montezuma. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 pm Thursday, June 20, 2024 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Private burial will be held in Little Mount Baptist Cemetery near Montezuma. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma Blue and White Athletic Boosters, the North Mahaska Athletic Boosters or the Lynnville Saddle Club. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Jeane Bru, the daughter of Manly "Pete" and Shirley (Grovenburg) Lillie, was born on March 17, 1953 in Grinnell, Iowa. She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1971. On October 23, 1971, Carolyn was united in marriage to Dave Bru at the Ewart Presbyterian Church. To this union four children were born, Eric, Jennifer, Joshua and David. They lived in Wellman for a few years where she was a homemaker and Dave's right-hand helper on the farm. After they moved back to Montezuma, Carolyn worked for Ponderosa Marina and Walmart before going to work for Grinnell Mutual retiring in 2019 after 29 years.

After retirement, Carolyn loved being a full time "Grammy" having the opportunity to babysit her grandchildren when needed.  Carolyn was able to share her love of horses with her family by competing in horse shows, riding and teaching her children and grandchildren how to ride. Carolyn was a proud grammy and attended most if not all of her grandchildren's sporting evenings, school functions and any other activities or horse shows they were involved in. She was an avid reader, loved fast cars, playing cards, board games and doing puzzles with her family. She was a very talented artist and enjoyed crafts. Carolyn was also a member of the Lynnville Saddle Club.

Carolyn's memory will be cherished by her husband, Dave Bru of Montezuma; her children, Eric (Traci) Bru of Gilman, Jennifer (Doug) Readshaw of New Sharon, Joshua (Tanya Henkle) Bru of Montezuma and David (Jerri) Bru of Montezuma; her grandchildren, Tiffany (Austin) Atcher, Brittany (Hunter Bollhoefer) Bru, Blake Readshaw, Kayla Readshaw, Quincy Conger, Shelby Conger, Tristan Moyer, Lily Moyer, Linkyn Bru, Alea Bru, David Bru III, Samuel Bru and Kaiden Price; two great grandchildren, Tyler Atcher and Lainey Atcher and her sister, Debra Garmen along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother in infancy, Gary Lillie.