Stolen art from WI State Fair honors widow’s husband
A Wisconsin woman wants to get a piece of art back after it was stolen at the Wisconsin State Fair. The piece was a tribute to her late husband, who passed away earlier this year.
NEW BERLIN, Wisconsin. – It is not a Renoir or a Picasso, but for a woman from New Berlin it is an irreplaceable work of art.
Police say someone stole it at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Diane Bruening said she made the piece from items dedicated to her husband, who died suddenly in February. She said it was a keepsake for her family that could not be duplicated.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines and breaking news alerts via email from FOX6 News
It may not look like much, but the sentimental value of this piece of art means a lot to Bruening and her daughter.
“It was her memory,” Bruening said. “I’ve been doing this for 22 years and you do things that mean something.”
It’s a tradition for Bruening to enter her homemade artwork into the State Fair Craft Contest – in this case, a piece in memory of her late husband.
“My daughter and I took a trip to Missouri because my husband passed away in February and couldn’t come with us,” Bruening said.
Richard was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January.
It affected his lungs, liver, brain and spine. He died less than a month later.
“Two weeks later, I went into the bedroom and he took his last breath,” Bruening said. “I performed CPR. They brought him back, but he died eight days later. So he never woke up again.”
So she got to work and did what she loves: crafting.
She creates a lovingly crafted work of art using silk flower petals from her husband’s coffin.
She took part in the competition and took third place.
But police say someone stole it from the Grand Champion Hall while it was on display.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
“Whoever took my artwork, please return it, no questions asked,” she said. “It’s a keepsake and means a lot to us.”
It offers a reward of $100. And that is not only important to Bruening, but to others as well.
“I just want it back. I mean, there are so many comments on Facebook,” Bruening said. “All these strangers are even offering to increase the reward.”
Bruening hopes someone will return it where it belongs.
According to police, the piece was stolen between August 6 and 8. Nothing has been found so far.
:strip_icc()/BHG_PTSN19550_preview-b74f31ceadc04073957114c1e679c41d.jpg "6 things you should never put in your home for positive Feng Shui")
