Gerald Thomas Bruce, the son of Joseph and Mary (Schaub) Bruce was born May 19, 1921 at Greeley, Nebraska. He passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 4 months and 26 days.
Gerald attended school at Stennett, where he was a 5-year starter on the basketball team. He entered the U.S. Navy, serving during WW II. Gerald was united in marriage to Dorothy Damewood on June 11, 1946 at Hiawatha, Kansas. For a short time, Gerald and Dorothy lived in Ottumwa, IA and Omaha, NE, before moving to Red Oak in 1950. He worked for Bloom & Lindgren, operating a corn sheller, and later for Uniroyal and Parker-Hannifin Company. Gerald enjoyed coffee time with friends at J.D.'s and Burger King, gardening, and kept busy with many woodworking projects.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Bruce on August 25, 2010; granddaughter, Cara; brothers: Leo (Marie) Bruce and Glen (Fern) Bruce; and sisters: Dorothy Martin; Agnes (James) Jack; Geraldine (Terrance Hartman & John) Clark.
Gerald is survived by his four children and spouses: Allen (Elaine) Bruce of Stanton, IA; Cindy (Carlos) Pierson of Hastings, IA; Alisa (Randy) Rumery of Swisher, IA and Marcia Bond of Red Oak, IA; 11 grandchildren: Scott (Danelle) Bruce of Red Oak, IA; Todd (Lisa) Bruce of Red Oak, IA; Ryan Bruce of Omaha, NE; Dawn (Mark) Meyer of Kearney, MO; Dani (Glen) Mueggenburg of Breda, IA; Shantelle (Jeff) Vohs of Glenwood, IA; Dax (Stacey) Rose of Grayslake, IL; Cody (Clare) Rose of Iowa City, IA; Jeb (Chrystal Alexander) Bond of Council Bluffs, IA; Tyler Bond of Flippen, AR; and Ali (Patrick Plugge) Bond of Omaha, NE; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Bernard (Mae) Bruce of Loveland, CO; sister, Kathleen (Raymond) Pettinger of Burchard, NE; sister-in-law, Anna Marie Cleland of Red Oak, IA; and brother-in-law, Jack (Shirley) Clark of Amarillo, TX; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Funeral Service will be held
Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
At Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak
Rev. Dr. Eric Kutzli, Officiating
Graveside service with Military Rites in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak
Visitation with the family present will be Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to ALS in the Heartland.
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
