Joanne Bruce (1943-2022)

Joanne Emily (Dodge) Bruce went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022.

Joanne was born on Dec. 9, 1943, near Rossville, to her parents Leonard and Emily Dodge. Joanne graduated from Delia High School in 1961, where she played and excelled in sports, and was involved in 4-H.

After graduation, she moved to Topeka and worked for Goodyear as a key punch operator, and then at the Kansas State Capitol.

After the love of her life, Mike Bruce, returned home for the Vietnam War, they got married on Nov. 25, 1966, at the Rossville United Methodist Church in Kansas. They moved to Huntsville, Texas, where they laid their roots and helped grow the family tree.

To know Joanne was to love her. Whether you called her Hon, Mom, Sis, NeeNee, Aunt Joanne, Mama Bruce or something else, you knew right away that Joanne considered you family. Joanne’s smile lit up every room and her heart filled it with more love than one can imagine.

During her time on earth, Joanne enjoyed most spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joanne always had an open heart and an open door. Whatever you needed, she was sure to be there to share God’s word, comfort the sad, embrace the joy, listen when no one else would, make you dinner if you were hungry or give you a safe place to stay. The lives that she touched in her 78 years will forever be remembered. Her beautiful light will continue to shine bright in this world because we are all better for having had Joanne in our lives. She will be greatly missed, but we know Joanne will continue to be proud of us when we continue to love like Joanne.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Emily Dodge, and two sons, Jason Bruce and Michael Bruce.

Joanne is survived by her husband Mike Bruce, her son Kevin Bruce (wife Beatrice), daughter Stephanie Bruce (dog Hugo), brother Jim Dodge (wife Janet), grandchildren Maddison (husband Gerrit Kosters), Regan Bruce (fiancé Kyle Laake), Damian Bruce, Malcolm Bruce, Madison Goss, Kevan Sims and Kimberly Sims; great-grandchildren, Adam, Levi, Corey, Bryson and Emma; numerous nieces and nephews; and family friends.

Visitation was held at noon on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Heritage Oak Funeral Home, Huntsville, Texas. Burial was in the Farris Cemetery, Huntsville, Texas.