Mary Elaine Bruce 1927-2011

BRUCE, WIEMANN

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 4/16/2015 at 22:27:57

Mary Elaine Bruce, 84, of Burlington, died at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington, Iowa on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 8:24 p.m.

Born on January 17, 1927, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Byron James and Mary Elizabeth Wiemann Bruce.

Mary graduated from St. Paul Grade School and St. Paul High School. She had a Master's Degree of Fine Arts in Music & Piano from the University of Iowa. After receiving her Master's she taught piano to students at the Iowa School for the Blind in Vinton, Iowa. She taught piano for most of her adult life including lessons at Mundt's Music Store and privately. She taught thousands of students, children and adults over the years. She also enjoyed playing for many special occasions, church services and several nursing homes. She played the organ at St. Paul Catholic Church for almost fifty years, starting at the age of ten. She then played at Trinity Lutheran Church for nearly twenty years. She was also an amateur caricature artist. Her greatest joy in life was helping children and adults gain a love and appreciation of music. She was a member of SS. John & Paul Catholic Church and attended Trinity Lutheran Church in her later years.

She is survived by one cousin, Mary Wiemann of Urbandale, Iowa; special friends, Brenda Liles, Mary Rosenberg, Betty & Dick Mauer, Mary Young and Gail Adams, all of Burlington; and many other friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Elaine Bruce will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa. Celebrant will be Fr. Anthony Herold. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.

There will be a public visitation at the church one hour prior to the service.

A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society. Prugh Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.