Catherine Marie Bruce

Catherine Marie Bruce, age 96, of La Grande, died July 29, 2008 at her home. A family graveside service will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Mrs. Bruce was born on August 13, 1911, the daughter of Michael and Anna (Hildebrand) Delich in Kansas City, Kansas. After high school she worked for Bemus Bags in Kansas City. A friend took her on a blind date with Warren C. Bruce, and the young gentleman proposed on that first date. However, Catherine thought he was crazy, but married him 6 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 out here 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 Telecaset and Kamela. 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; favorite second daughter, Shirley Simmons of Cove; sister, Margie Bloom of Osage City, Kansas; three grandchildren; several great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, four sisters, four brothers and special nieces and friend, Ginny Orlowski.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Bruce to the GRH Home Health/Hospice in La Grande.

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