Bruce Feller, 6 Sep 1919 - 2 Feb 2008

FELLER, BEEH, MCSWEENY, MCGUIRE

Posted By: Stephen D. Williams (email)
Date: 2/5/2008 at 13:06:56

Victor, Iowa

Visitation: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the family present from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 06, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Victor
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 07, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Victor
Interment: private family service, Friday, February 08, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery south of Victor

Bruce was born in Victor on September 6, 1919 to Christopher (Christy) and Bernadine (Berna) Beeh Feller. He graduated from St. John’s High School in Victor in 1937, then attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport. Bruce served in the Army during WWII. He was trained for the invasion of Japan and would have been in the first wave of the invasion. He was on a troop ship on the way to Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped, thus ending the war. He served for approximately 18 months with the occupation force in Japan. His brother Bob also served in the war as a B-17 bomber pilot, flying 35 missions over German war targets. Tragically, both Bob and sister Bernadine died in separate plane crashes after the war while still in their 20s.

On March 15, 1949, Bruce was married to Shirley McSweeny in Victor. They continued to farm and raise a family on the Feller Farm. Bruce was very proud of his family heritage and farming tradition started by his grandfather Louis Feller who purchased the Feller Farm in 1893. Bruce was honored with a Century Farm award at the Iowa State Fair in 1993. In addition to farming, Bruce also did custom work with his CAT bulldozer. He believed strongly in conservation and practiced conservation measures on his farm. In 1998, he and his tenant Mark McGrory were the District Winners in the Landlord Tenant Division of the Iowa Soil Conservation Awards Program. Bruce loved his farm animals, especially his cows and buffaloes.

Bruce was an accomplished musician. He played the organ for many functions, including horse shows and various programs and dinner meetings. He once played for the Governor of Iowa, Robert D. Ray. Bruce also enjoyed dancing. He and Shirley attended dances all over Eastern Iowa. They were featured performing the waltz at the Victor Centennial Show in 1968. Bruce was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his later years, he and Shirley traveled to Alaska several times. Bruce also enjoyed several trips to Germany to visit his son Lou.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob, sister Bernadine, infant son John and wife Shirley in 1992. Survivors include sons Blair (Kathie) Feller, Meadowlakes, TX; Clark Feller, Stockton, CA; Bruce (Amparo) Feller, Lynnwood, WA; Lou (Maria) Feller, Newcastle, WA; Kurt (Joan) Feller, Cedar Rapids, IA; Bob (Angela) Feller, Peoria, IL; daughter Bernadine (Lonn) McGuire; and numerous grandchildren. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob, sister Bernadine, infant son John and wife Shirley in 1992.

Memorials may be directed to the Victor Public Library.

Smith Funeral Homes, Victor
Cedar Rapids Gazette, 5 Feb 2008, pg 4b