Memorial services for 94-year old Dean Bruce of Gordon, NE, are Friday, Dec 1, 2023, at 10:30 at Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon.Â
Graveside services were held earlier on Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023 at the Gordon Cemetery.Â
A memorial has been established for Grace Lutheran Church of Gordon. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com.
Dean Edward Bruce was born in Gordon to Art and Ruth Bruce on February 6, 1929. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Nov 10, 2023.
Dean was one of 6 children, including older siblings Bob and Morey and younger siblings Betty, Beverly, and Bill.
The family home was several miles northeast of Gordon, so Dean attended the nearby Mt Pleasant School in his early years. When the family moved to a farm 6 miles east of Gordon, he attended East Pride Country School through 8th grade before attending Gordon High School, where he graduated in 1946.
Dean was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 6, 1951 and went on to serve in the Korean War as an Operating Room Technician in a MASH unit, the 8225th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. He was discharged on June 11, 1953.
After returning home from the Army, Dean acquired an Allis Chalmers round baler that he operated for hire, working summers bailing hay for George Shadbolt. He would also work cattle
on the Shadbolt Ranch throughout the winter months.
During this time, Dean began courting Neva Suhr and after several months they were married on October 10th, 1954. They would be blessed with 67 years of marriage, along with 4 daughters
and 1 son.
Dean and Neva were long-time members of Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon, where Dean served in many roles and developed a deep faith that was evident throughout his life.
Dean began farming for Milton Peterson shortly after getting married, so he and Neva moved onto the Peterson place. Dean transitioned to being a semi-truck owner/operator, a career he followed for many years.
He began by hauling fuel for the Coop in Winner, SD and then for Coop Oil in Gordon. Many memories were made with the kids (and sometimes their friends) riding along on the several-hour trip to the refinery.
Dean eventually gave up the driving and for many years instead ran the fertilizer department at the Coop before taking on additional management responsibilities prior to his retirement.
After retirement, Dean kept busy maintaining a meticulous lawn and working in his wood shop, where he crafted furniture for the home, rocking horses for grandchildren, and anything else that he
would get a request to build. He also made hundreds of smaller items such as crosses and seasonal and Christmas décor.
Dean was very community-focused, always emphasizing the importance of doing business locally. He served his community as a member of both the Gordon Public Schools board and the Sheridan County noxious weed board.
He was also an active volunteer for the Willow Tree Festival and the Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo, along with having served with the Lions Club.
Dean was known for his hard work, integrity, faith, and humor. He was always in good spirits and was always quick to make a witty comment or break out in song.
After living a full life in Gordon, Dean and Neva moved to Lincoln, NE, in 2018 to be cared for in assisted living. Dean’s body will now lie in rest at the Gordon Cemetery, which is a fitting return to the town and to the country that he so loved.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife Neva; his siblings Bob, Morey, Betty, Beverly, and infant brother Arthur: and infant granddaughter Wendy Tiensvold.
He is survived by children Paula (Randy) Lube, Brenda Potter, Jeanette (Dave) Hasse, Kay (Mark) Kruger, and Steve Bruce;
and brother Bill (Anita) Bruce.
Dean is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Eva Coppinger, Clay
Lube, Tim Tiensvold, Dennis Tiensvold, Grant Potter, Alyssa Delzell, Katelyn Potter, Noah Hasse, Peyton Hasse, Michael Kruger, Erin Sandoz, Paul Kruger, Emma Wolf, and Logan Bruce; 10 great-grandchildren: Neva, Margot, Holden, and Henry Tiensvold; Sophia Delzell; Elsie and Layla Kruger; Hallie and Sawyer Sandoz, and Berkley Wolf; and 1 more expected great-grandchild.
Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home in Gordon is in charge of arrangements for Dean Bruce.