Bruce Wilson
Bruce E. Wilson died October 30, 2016.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mallard, Iowa. Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg.
Bruce Eldon Wilson was brought into this world on July 7, 1923, by his parents, Smyzer and Nora (Husselbaugh) Wilson. He was born and raised in Kingsley, Iowa, along with his many siblings on the family farm.
After schooling, Bruce joined the Marines, serving from 1945-1946. Although never deployed overseas, he told stories of his fight in the infamous Battle of Hastings. He returned safely to marry his bride, Maxine Schumacher, on July 19, 1947 in Mallard, Iowa. To this union, 4 children were born.
Bruce farmed in Mallard for many years. Then he worked for the United States Postal Service. At the post office window, he would always greet his customers with a smile. He was known for a jaw dig with a piece of Juicy Fruit for his grandchildren.
Bruce had a love for humor. He was known for his practical jokes with friends and family alike. He loved family gatherings, where his stories were told over and over.
There wasn’t a day that went by that you wouldn’t hear Bruce singing, “Church in the Wildwood”. He wound his numerous clocks daily and he made sure his squirrels were fed. His homemade popcorn and hand-cranked ice cream was a tradition that his grandchildren looked forward to.
But his reason for living was “Granny,” as he fondly named her. They did everything together; from traveling to playing cards, from attending daily Mass to baking bread. In July, they celebrated 69 years of marriage. And on October 30, 2016, with Maxine by his side, Bruce left this world to fly over the clouds, reuniting with their son, Greg.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Maxine; two daughters, Vicki (Jim) Hill and Cindy (Tom) Chapman; a son, Brad; grandchildren Laura (Doug), Jeff, James (Mindy), Sara, Molly (Jason), Adam (Jamie), Melissa, Jacob, Sadie (Lennon), and Anna; great-grandchildren Rebecca (John), Seth, Sydney, Wade, Ava, Ella, Izak, Sam, and Truman; great-great-grandchildren, Grayson, Owen, and Penelope; and his sister, Mary Lou Jordan, who is now the last of the 12 Wilson siblings.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gregory Allen; and his siblings: Ralph, Roland, Paul, Helen, Irvin, Robert, Lola, Harry, Joe and Lindy.
