Cloudy, 32° F
(Sept. 13, 1950 – June 8, 2011)
Karen Bruce, 60, died of cancer on June 8, 2011, at the Close to Home Hospice House in Gillette.
A private family memorial service will be at a later date.
Karen Emmaline Bruce was born on Sept. 13, 1950, the daughter of Eugene and Margaret (Holmes) Stacy in Powell. Karen’s father passed away when she was 3 years old. After her father passed away, the family moved to Thermopolis, where she was raised and educated. In December 1967, Karen married Richard W. Bruce. From this union three children were born. The new family lived in Lead, S.D. for a short time before moving to Moorcroft, where they resided till 1993. Karen was employed as a certified nurse’s side at the Sundance Nursing Home and the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette and also for the Footcare Center in Gillette. Karen enjoyed taking care of her family and the residents at the nursing homes she was employed with.
Karen loved to sew and do any crafty things. She enjoyed going to car shows with her husband. Spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren were the highlights of Karen’s life. Throughout her life she made several friends through her work. Karen and Richard would have lunch together at their favorite restaurant, The Lariat. Karen will be sadly missed by the people she had touched through work and her family life.
Karen is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Richard Bruce of Gillette; her son Robert Bruce of Gillette; her daughter Michelle (Rodrick) Oller of Gillette; seven sisters, Rosey Brunk of Cheyenne, Ida Lawson of Powell, Edith Williams of Tuscan, Ariz., Donna Hanson of Thermopolis, Peggy Lowe of California, Norma Walker of Bakersfield, Calif., and Gloria Lewis of Thermopolis; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her son Patrick Bruce, her stepfather, her brother Clifford Stacy and one niece.
Walker Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent in Karen’s name to the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Ct. Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.
