Alice Lathrop Bruce 1930 - 2009

LATHROP, BRUCE, CLARK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/21/2019 at 21:32:50

Sioux City Journal
28 March 2009

ANTHON, Iowa -- Alice Lathrop Bruce, 78, of Anthon died Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. today at Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon, with the Rev. Vickie Steffes officiating. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service today at the funeral home.

Alice Lathrop Bruce was born May 3, 1930, in Eureka, Ill., to Griff and Dorothy (Clark) Lathrop. She graduated in 1948 from Eureka High School, then attended Eureka College studying speech. She excelled in drama, set design, debate and was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority.

She married John William Bruce on Nov. 2, 1951, in Eureka. To this union were born four children. They lived throughout the Midwest as John's job was in agricultural machinery. She was a full-time homemaker until 1967, when she began work as a bookkeeper for various companies. In 1975, the family moved to Spencer, Iowa, where she began to do volunteer work for the United Way and American Red Cross. This led to an eventual position in Mason City, Iowa as the executive director of the American Red Cross for north central Iowa, a position she held until retirement. In 1998, she moved to Albuquerque, N.M. During her time in Albuquerque, she volunteered six days a week with the Veterans Hospital, the Museum of Natural History and Science and various organizations. She belonged to St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Albuquerque and treasured her involvement as a "Daughter of the King".

She battle Alzheimer's for several years, quietly and bravely. By June 2008, her health had dictated a change to her relentless work ethic, leading her back to Iowa to live with her daughter until her sudden death.

She devoted her life to the Episcopal Church, public service as a volunteer, mentor and example for all those who knew and loved her. She enjoyed vegetable gardening, flowers, house plants, photography and possessed a passion for reading, especially westerns.

She is survived by her daughters, Luann and her husband, Michael Wolfe of Albuquerque, Dianna and her husband, John Isder of Ocheyedan, Iowa, and Suann Stines of Anthon, Iowa; her only son, Andrew Bruce and his wife, Wanda of Sun City, Calif.; her sister, Amylu Gioletti of Pontiac, Ill.; her former husband, John Bruce of Spencer, Iowa; six grandchildren, Emily Urban Childs of Amesbury, Mass., Aaron Urban of Deadwood, S.D., Talene Curry of Le Mars, Iowa, Calin Curry of Estherville, Iowa, Sam Svihl of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Allison Stines of Anthon; and six great-grandchildren, Brett, Cale, Karley, Jayden, Delainey and Gavyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Griff and Dorothy Lathrop; a sister, Ann Doran of Peoria, Ill.; and her mother and father-in-law, Aley and Stewart Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Veterans Hospital or the American Red Cross.