Alan Edwin Bruce

Alan Bruce, 69, of Malvern, IA passed away at his home on December 27, 2017.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, Iowa. Burial will be in the East Liberty Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: Family will direct the memorials.

Alan Edwin Bruce, the eldest of two sons of M. J. and Elsie Emma (Pontow) Bruce, was born on December 27, 1948 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm north of Malvern, Iowa and was baptized, confirmed and a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, Iowa. Alan attended school at Chantry Elementary and was a graduate from the Malvern High School in 1967. He took a few accounting courses in Omaha, Nebraska and farmed with his brother until his retirement. Alan served six years in the Army National Guard and could be counted on to help out the Harry Hammons Legion Post for Memorial Day services.

Alan and Judy Ann Jopp were united in marriage on September 28, 1974 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons, Joseph Alan and Jesse Lee.

Alan enjoyed drag racing when he was younger. Family vacations to the Black Hills, Valentine, NE, St. Louis and other areas were fun and eventful. He especially loved "slow driving" or going around checking out other farmers' fields. Alan faithfully listened to KMA, as all good farmers do, and was a great story teller. He loved to grill and was a great cook. Alan took pride in keeping his yard mowed and trimmed. He enjoyed gardening and raising sweet corn, which he always gave away to family and friends. Alan was a great son, dad, brother, uncle, cousin, and a good friend to all who knew him.

Alan and Judy were married 38 years when Judy passed away on June 5, 2013 from pulmonary fibrosis.

Alan passed away at his rural Malvern home on December 27, 2017 at the age of 69 years. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Larry Jopp; and nephews, Ryan Jopp and David "Digger" Jopp.

Alan is survived by his sons, Joe Bruce of Glenwood, IA and Jesse Bruce and wife Dana of Malvern; brother Elmer Bruce and wife Phyllis of Malvern; brothers-in-law, David Jopp and wife Brigid of Papillion, NE and Ivan Jopp and wife Gretchen of Malvern; sister-in-law Ann Chickering of Malvern; nephews and nieces, Robert Jopp, Justin, Andrew and Eilis Jopp, and Brooklyn and Kinley Chickering; many extended relatives; and a host of friends.