Dean Bruce

Dean Edward Bruce

Dean Edward Bruce, 94, of Gordon, Nebraska went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 10, 2023. Dean was born in Gordon, Nebraska to Art and Ruth Bruce on February 6, 1929. He 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 where he would attend the nearby Mt. Pleasant School in his early school years. When the family later moved to a farm 6 miles east of Gordon, Dean 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 he went on to serve in Korea as an Operating Room Technician in the 8225th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH). He was discharged on June 11, 1953.

After returning home from the Army, he 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 months later 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.

Shortly after getting married, Dean began farming for Milton Peterson and he and Neva then moved onto the Peterson place. Dean transitioned to being a semi-truck owner/operator for many years, hauling fuel initially 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. For many years, Dean 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. 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.

He was very community focused, always emphasizing the importance of doing business locally. He served his community on the Gordon Public Schools board and on the Sheridan County noxious weed board. He was 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 spirit and he 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, Nebraska 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, as well as 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 was blessed with 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) as well as 10 great-grandchildren (Neva, Margot, Holden, and Henry Tiensvold; Sophia Delzell; Elsie and Layla Kruger; Hallie and Sawyer Sandoz, and Berkley Wolf), and 1 expected great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, 10:30 AM, at Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon. A memorial has been established for Grace Lutheran Church of Gordon.