Ronald M. Bruce, 46, fired up his 1967 Chevelle SS and, with the radio cranked, raced to be with his Dad in heaven on January 15, 2011. He was born on May 11, 1964 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from Brookfield Central High School in 1982. After which he worked along with his Dad and brother, Don, at Miller Compressing Company, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in Sterling, Illinois, through 1995. He then moved to the Wautoma Area and worked as a car wash service technician for his brother, Don, at Wonder Wash Car Washes. In 1999, he purchased a lot in Crestwood Subdivision in the Town of New Chester, Adams County, on which he had a house and garage built and called it home. He was currently employed as Dr. Ron by Car Wash Doctors, Inc. a company owned and operated by his brother, Don.
Ron loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a big man and had a big heart and was always there with a helping hand. He was our Gentle Giant. Ron loved to laugh and watch old movies, his favorites were Its a Mad, Mad, Mad World, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and The Long, Long, Long Trailer; and loved a wide range of TV characters from Homer Simpson to Hank Kimball of Green Acres. He stayed in touch daily with family and friends on Facebook and by telephone. He loved old cars and trucks, enjoyed going to car shows and was an avid reader of mechanical and collector magazines. He acquired an overall knowledge of engineering principles and had a natural mechanical ability, just like his Dad. He loved kids of all ages and enjoyed watching his nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews grow up. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, snowmobiling, and ATVing. He had a gift for cheering you up when you were down and always had a big smile and a quick joke to keep you smiling with him. Ron loved all kinds of music and made you want to sing along with him. Some of his favorites included Mitch Miller, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plante, Jimmy Page, David Allen Coe, John Pryne, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Bob Seager, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath.
Ron was a faithful and true Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan. He loved to spend time with family and friends while cheering for the Pack and the Brewers and partying in his garage party room. We can still hear him yelling at the referees while cheering on his beloved teams. Ron was a founding member of an elite group, the Basement Dwellers. The group will greatly miss his involvement at the annual November meetings.
Ron is the beloved son of, Pauline L.(nee Boyer) and the late Donald Bruce, Adams, Wisconsin; and he will be lovingly missed and remembered by his sisters and brother: Pauline Bruce, New Berlin, Wisconsin, Eileen (Court)Piehler, Marion, Massachusetts, Kathleen Bruce-Neumann, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Donald (Maureen)Bruce, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin, Colleen Ostrom, (his roomie), Grand Marsh, Wisconsin, Maureen (William) Wist, Wautoma, Wisconsin, Christine (Perry)Woolley, Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Geraldine (Jerold) Lundt, New Berlin, Wisconsin, Doreen (Darryl)Fiedler, West Bend, Wisconsin, Jolene (Todd) Thurber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by many nieces, nephews, friends and hunting buddies, too many to name here. He was preceded in death by his Dad, Donald J. Bruce, his grandmother, Mabel Hoffmann and great-nephew, Mason Schroeder. Ron will be found enjoying Gods creation on a winding road somewhere between LaCrosse and Tomah; Stoughton and Sun Prairie; and Portage and Baraboo. His strength and love of life will live on in us all.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 Noon on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Father James P. McNamee will officiate. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7:45 pm. Visitation will also be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Cremation will follow the traditional service, with final interment at the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Brooks, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to family are appreciated and may be sent to
Pauline Bruce, 806 Elk Dr. Adams, WI 53910.
No words can explain how deeply
he will be missed.
Uncle Ron i really miss you. Itreasure all the time you spent at our house when we were kids. Im really sorry I got buzy with my life and didnt keep in better touch with you. Thhe last time we talked I told you were my favorite uncle and you thoughgt i was feeding you a line of bull I really ment it and i miss you so
My condolences to the Bruce family. As old Brookfield neighborhood friends, it is sad to hear of Ron’s passing. Prayers are with the family.
Ron,you made it bearable while we lived in IL. I never would have made it without you. You are my brother and best friend. the days ahead will be empty without talking to you a couple times a week and visiting when i could. We will all be there eventually and the party can start again. Say hi to your dad and nephew. Your friend always, Gilbert.
You will be missed, my prayers go out for you and your family. Rest in peace.
deer camp will never be the same without you.ROCK ON RONNIE \oo/
Pauline,
Just a quick note to say again how sorry I am but also to compliment you on a great job yesterday and thank you for the wonderful meal served. It was all just great. I will miss Ron but know he is happy now with his dad.
I am sorry to hear of the loss of Ron, I know how much you will miss him. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers
I was very sad to hear about Rons passing.It was a shock to everyone who knew him.
Ron had a great sense of humor and very quick witted.He was also full of passion with every adventure he took on.be it watching his team play or taking on a home project or giving a helping hand..His laugh and smile will live in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew him..
I’m sure there are car washes in Heaven; & they must break down sometime. Heaven now has the BEST guy to fix them. My deepest sympathy goes to the Bruce family.
Words can not describe the deep sadness we feel with this sudden loss. It is heart breaking. There have been so many good memories….we loved our calls from Taco Tuesdays! Ron had such a kind smile and a laugh that would make you want to laugh right along with him! He is going to be so incredibly missed. I just can’t believe you’re gone, Ron. We love you and miss you! May God Bless You and all those who are grieving your loss…
Uncle Ron was the greatest. I have a lot of memories with him that i will forever cherish. No one can ever replace him. I will miss and love him forever. He was and always will be my Uncle Ronnie.
Ron was one of my good friends at St Luke Grade school, I am sorry to hear of his passing. Just by chance I happened to look at the obituaries and saw his name, I remember many good times as a young boy sledding with Ron and being his friend. God Bless you Ron and my prayers are with the Bruce family.
I am sure ron is in heaven ringing the bell with grandmpa we love ya ron
Don, Maureen, James, and Amber our thoughts are with you and your family.
We were stunned and saddened to hear of Ronnie’s passing. He and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Don and Maureen,We are thinking of you and are so sorry about your loss.
Duck Creek Road , a hearty laugh , a big rum and coke all capped off with bon fire and Zeppelin cranked to the hilt ! Until we meet again Ron ! God Bless !
Don, Maureen and James- Remember all the wonderful memories of Ron and that is what will get you through this saddened time.
I only knew Ron a short time – but you could tell he had a zeal for life. He helped me out with his knowledge and kind way of dealing with me.
Rest in Peace.
May God comfort you during this difficult time. Always remember him for his big heart and all he had done.
I was saddened to learn of Ron’s very sudden passing. My thought’s go out to his family and many friends. Long live the Dwellers. You will be missed, Ron.
Ron….we croozed on hwy 100 in the Trans-Am and the laughs we will stay with me forever and spinning and laying rubber down.Miss you man.
Dear Ron,
The good times we had are too numerous to count. I miss you dearly. You are truly the most unique character I have ever known. Thank you so much for checking in last week. I will always treasure it. Thank you for sharing Mr. Kimball’s genius with me: "I assure you I am doing all that I can…well maybe not ALL that I can." The laughs with you are infinite. Say Hi to the Wolfman for me if you see him up there, and tell them to turn on the Wizard of Oz… "How about them old movies." You guys never let me forget the night I intercepted someone else’s prime rib dinner. After having known you my whole life my memories of you can be summed up the same way: "That’ll be fine. Can I have some potatoes with that?" Thank you for all of the fun times. I love you very much.
Ron I remeber livng at your house with your parents and jolene and then visiting you in illinois fun times you will be missed i know you will have fun wherever you are. Rock on until i get there!!!
We are deeply sorry for your loss. May you keep his memory close to your heart.
Will miss you big guy, and may your family come to realize that there are many of us out there that are better off for knowing you.
I have enjoyed the many years of working with Ron. He will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Ron.
I always enjoyed being your friend and your friendship…you left us to early and I will miss you…we always had a great time…even when we founded the basement dwellers…may you find peace, god rest your soul.
Words cannot discribe how I feel right now. Shock comes to mind and I will miss him very much. He was a great man who is definatly by grandpa’s side and I know I will see them again. So here is to you Uncle Ron you were a really cool cat. Take it easy budy. Love you and Miss you.
lov you all we will try to get up there
. you are in our prayers Denise
Ron…I will never forget coming to see you in Illinois…in the back of a Karma Gia…May you rest in Peace my friend.
I would love to attend the service but am not able to because of work. I am so sorry to hear that he has passed he was a very nice man!! If you guys need anything please ask.
Dear Mrs. Bruce and Family,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Ron’s passing and I would like to express my sincere sadness and sympathies to you and your family during these difficult times. Those of us who had the pleasure of working with Ron will miss his smile, work ethic and personality. He had a way of brightening up your day even in the most challenging situations. You will be forever missed Ron. Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences from myself and the Ryko Wisconsin Direct Service Team. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
"WOW! What A Ride!"
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…Wow! What a ride!"
Glad to have ridden with you for awhile, Ronnie.
Miss you Ron…
We send our love and prayers to all of you. We are so sorry!
Don, Maureen, James, Mrs. Bruce and all the Bruce family, Please know our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Wish we were closer to be with you.
Ron you will be forever loved and missed!
My prayers are with the whole family in this hour of your sudden loss. When I remember all the time I had with Ron I find myself laughing out loud,we had so much fun. You will be missed but never forgotten.