La Grande, Oregon
Catherine Marie Bruce, 96, of La Grande, died July 29 at her home. A family graveside service will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.
Catherine was born Aug. 13, 1911, to Michael and Anna (Hildebrand) Delich in Kansas City, Kan. After high school she worked for Bemus Bags in Kansas City. A friend took her on a blind date with Warren C. Bruce, and he proposed on that first date. Catherine thought he was crazy, but married him six weeks later on July 30, 1932.
Her husband hitchhiked to Oregon and found it so beautiful that he returned to Kansas and brought his wife to the state to live. They built their first home out of spare lumber left around the railroad tracks. She learned to cook in the railroad camps her husband worked in at Telocaset and Kamela.
Those who knew her say she was a good and simple woman who enjoyed traveling. She was extremely talented at embroidery work and was known for her sense of humor. In recent years her main focus was her great-grandchild, Chance.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Lee Simmons of La Grande; daughter, Shirley Simmons of Cove; sister, Margie Bloom of Osage City, Kan; three grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband; four sisters and four brothers; nieces; and special friend, Ginny Orlowski.
Memorial contributions may be made to the GRH Home Health/Hospice in La Grande.
The Observer – August 1, 2008