GORDON, Neb. – Bruce Rose passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Gordon.
Bruce Lee Rose was born on Father’s Day, June 21, 1959 at Cheyenne, to Cecil E. and Elsie A. (Hansen) Rose. Bruce was born one month pre-mature as a result of a car accident involving Bruce’s mother and his brother, John. He was the third of five children to be raised on their Empire Ranch north of Henry, Neb.
Growing up on the ranch was where he developed his lifelong love of horses and cattle and picking on his little brother. Bruce attended high school in Torrington, where he participated in FFA and High School Rodeo, along with 4-H, graduating in 1978. He also excelled in Home Economics after the teacher took him under her wing, teaching him to sew and cook. These were talents that he continued to develop over the years, sharing with others, especially his pies that had the flakiest crusts you will ever find.
Bruce married Kathy Anderson in Arthur, Neb., in 1988 and to this union were born two daughters, Sierra and Tianna, whom he greatly cherished. The family moved to Rushville, Neb., when Kathy was transferred by the US Postal Service.
Bruce was then married to Debbie Green at the Old Cowboy Museum in Gordon at midnight to celebrate the New Year of 2006. Over the years, Bruce worked very hard at various jobs generally with some connection to agriculture. He worked on ranches, at feedlots and sale barns in Gillette, Morrill, Neb., Arnold, Arthur and eventually the Rushville/Gordon area.
He worked at Walmart, Country General and ranged far and wide fencing, shoeing horses and shearing sheep. For the last 20+ years, he worked for Bussinger Feeds then Otte Feeds, all the while building his ranch, working with horses and took his greatest pride in raising Texas Longhorns. He greatly enjoyed working with his mother and other family members in raising and showing the Longhorns at various fairs.
Bruce was always ready to help anyone if they needed something, helping youngsters with 4-H projects and mentoring young ranchers. It never mattered how busy Bruce was, if someone needed his help, just needed to visit or tease and joke with them to get them in a better mood, he always made the time and the coffee pot was always on. Bruce was always comforted that he knew the Lord and held dear his friendship with Pastor Tom Peppel and his family and so enjoyed their music.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters, Sierra Sage Lee Benner of Ft. Morgan, Colo., and Tianna Rae Rose of Hay Springs, Neb; step-daughter, Tesla Mann of Ft. Morgan; sister, Sena (Russ) Pearson of Lusk; brother, John (Kerri) Rose of Lingle; sister, Janet (Marvin) Mueller of Sutherland, Neb.; brother, Gary (Kristi) Rose of Gordon; “adopted brother” Mark (Mashelle) Barlow of Eden, Idaho; sisters-in-law, Linda (Ross) Elwood of Rushville, Carolyn (Chuck) Williams of Aurora, Billie Green of Rushville, Tamara (Mike) Porter of Spearfish, S.D. and Melanie (Adam) Paulsen of Canon City, Colo.; friend, Connie Roffers of Rushville, Neb; 13 nieces and six nephews; seven grandnieces and three grandnephews; a great-grandnephew; and his beloved dog, Sunshine.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nieces, Brittany A. Mueller and Jenna K. Rose.
Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the Bible Baptist Church in Gordon. A memorial has been established and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366 Gordon, NE 69343.
