Braddie May Bruce, 79, of Island City, died Jan. 11 at a local care center. A service will be held later in Canyon City.
Braddie was born Jan. 26, 1928, to Clyde Willis and Grace Irene (Herburger) Laughlin in Prairie City. She was raised in Dayville and graduated from high school there.
On Jan. 12, 1947, she married Ralph Bruce in Canyon City. She worked as a school secretary in Canyon City, Ukiah and John Day. For several years they lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she worked for the Episcopal bishop and for a co-op drug company.
In her younger years she was a Rainbow girl and then a member of Eastern Star, of which she was a past worthy matron. She was an active member of the Canyon City Episcopal Church and a 4-H leader in the 1960s. In more recent years, Ralph and Braddie spent their winters in Arizona and visited family in San Diego. She loved to dance, square dance, sing in church and go on picnics. She enjoyed people, cooking and playing cards.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph of Island City; children, Sandra Rysdam of Elgin, Craig Bruce of Bend and Sheila Bruce of Bend; brother, Willis Laughlin of San Diego; two grandchildren in La Grande and Elgin; two step-grandchildren in Portland and Bend; two great-grandchildren; and other relatives.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande.
La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending January 19, 2008 – Published Jan. 15, 2008