Norman Theodore Bruce

The angels rejoiced on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, as Norman Theodore Bruce, age 97, gained his wings and joined our heavenly Father. 

Norm, the son of the late Theodore Roosevelt and Madeline Margaret Hellesen Bruce was born in Platteville, Colorado on June 2, 1926.  He had an older sister Beverly, a younger brother Bill and a baby sister Lynn.

He spent his early and high school years in Platteville where he lettered in football and basketball then graduated in 1944. Norm helped his dad deliver mail and worked loading sugar beets onto railroad cars.   After high school he used his driving skills as a delivery man for a milk route and later for Coca Cola.  One of the favorite memories from his early years was “crashing weddings”.   He and his friends would walk into a random wedding celebration to enjoy the food, beverages and festivities. 

Norm was a veteran who fought for our freedom in the Korean War.  In 1951 at the age of 25 he was drafted into the Army where he served in the 6^th Radio Signal Corps as a Telegraphic Typewriter Operations Chief.  One of his main functions in the war was to call in the battle strike coordinates.  When he returned from the war he was released directly to the local hospital where he spent several months recovering from pneumonia.    He then moved to CA, where he was a quality inspector for Boeing.  He loved California, but eventually returned to Colorado where he and his brother Bill started a successful drywall business and eventually transitioned into ranching.

Norm, a long-time bachelor, met Bertha Autry Turner who owned a local café in Kiowa Colorado.  In August of 1970 they joined together in marriage.   Norm was a loving husband to Bertha.   After 50 years of marriage when asked what the secret was Norman’s advice was to “marry a good cook”, then he would chuckle. He did love a big plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes with gravy and of course coconut cream pie.   Norm was also a loving parent to his step-children Ross, Rick and Debbi.  He was a parent who, after working all day, would make sure to attend basketball games and activities in the evenings.  He always showed up. 

Norm was a rancher and loved being outdoors.  After visiting Arkansas, Norman and his brother Bill decided to relocate from Colorado because the plentiful water, grass and ranchland tugged on their heart strings.  In 1970, they brought their love of ranching and their families to Omaha, Arkansas where they bought land and formed the Bruce Angus Ranch.  Norman was a member of the Cattleman’s association and participated in Registered Angus shows and sales.

Known as Grandpa or Papa he loved his grandkids & great grandkids.  He would help them “walk on the ceiling”, get down on the floor and play games, provide a cuddle and share his years of wisdom.  One of his favorite things recently was sharing donuts with his great grandson Owen.  It brought a smile to his face and warmed his heart.     

Norm was a Christian, a member of Cross Church and a son of the One True King.

Norm is survived by his wife Bertha; daughters Debbi Turner, Kerri Turner and Deborah Turner; his brother Bill Bruce; his sister Lynn Starr; along with 8 grandchildren (Roscoe, Alicia, Riley, Rhett, Casey, Tanner, Gary & Amber) and 8 great-grandchildren (Rowen, Royston, Arabella, Ashlyn, Raelyn, Brayden, Joshua, Gavin).

Norman was preceded in death by his parents Ted and Madeline Bruce, his sister Beverly Achziger, and his sons Ross Turner and Richard Turner.

Friends may visit with the family at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale, Arkansas on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 21 at 1:00 pm at the Backstrom -Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale.  Burial Service will be in the Elm Springs Cemetery, Elm Springs, AR. 

Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.  To sign online guestbook please go to www.backstom-pyeatte.com