Ellen Bruce

Ellen A. Bruce, age 94, passed away peacefully at Aurora Medical Center - Oshkosh, on Saturday, August 2, 2025. She was born to the late Edward C. and Sylvia I. (Guetzkow) Duwe on August 8, 1930. On June 20, 1953, she married W. Robert (Bob) Bruce at Peace Lutheran Church.

Ellen graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1948 and attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she earned a degree in Nursing. While in Madison she met Bob, the love of her life, who she married in June of 1953. Shortly after their marriage, Ellen became a short-term single mom when Bob was sent to Germany with the U.S. Army in 1954. Upon returning from duty, Ellen and Bob proceeded to have three more children. Ellen was able to be a stay-at-home mom, and she and Bob raised their children with firm yet very loving hearts. She was a very dedicated wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma who ALWAYS put her family first. In 1979 she began nursing work at UW-Oshkosh, supervising nursing students in the clinic lab. She absolutely loved it and the students absolutely loved her!

Throughout the years, Ellen and Bob created lasting family memories with frequent trips throughout Wisconsin. This culminated in the purchase of a five acre piece of paradise in central Wisconsin. They affectionately referred to this as "The Woods" and named it "Bruceberg". The entire family spent many wonderful years there exploring and learning about the beauty of nature. During this time, Ellen became an avid bird watcher and dabbled in nature art, more specifically painting.

Ellen was also an accomplished musician and spent 50 years as an organist at Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. There was ALWAYS music playing in the home: from Beethoven and Bach to Broadway shows, etc. Then, as the kids got older, she tolerated (with an occasional "could you turn that down!") the likes of Jimmy Hendricks, Led Zeppelin, and Janis Joplin blaring from the kids' bedrooms. Throughout the years, she instilled a love of music in her children that still plays out to this day. The kids are forever grateful for this influence.

Ellen also loved gardening, especially planting and harvesting vegetables. And in the Fall of the year, she could be found in the kitchen canning tomatoes, and cutting up zucchini and other vegetables for freezing. And when it came to cooking, she was amazing! Whether it was a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner or a bunch of leftovers going into a casserole - everyone knew it was going to be awesome!

Ellen is survived by her children: Mary Bruce-Dinkins, John Bruce, David Scott (Linda) Bruce, Paul Bruce; grandchildren: Rachael Bruce, Daniel Bruce, Nyla Bruce; Jennifer (Christopher) Stoffregen, a great-granddaughter: Grace Elizabeth Mary Stoffregen; step-grandchild, John (Renee) Graves; and step-great grandchildren: Emma (Brock) Olson, Connor and Clare Graves.

In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Bob.

Ellen's children would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Oshkosh Paramedics who responded to the call, and so professionally and gently cared for their Mom while transporting her to the ER. The same sincere thanks is extended to the staff of the ER and 3West unit of the Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh for their kindness, compassion, and professionalism during Ellen's brief stay there. And more very special thanks to all the staff at Serenity Gardens at Bethel Home in Oshkosh, with a very special honorable mention to Kelly and Alice, whose unwavering 9-years of dedication provided Ellen with the best possible care. Thank You!!!

A Celebration of Life for Ellen will be held at Peace Lutheran Church (240 W 9th Ave - Oshkosh) on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:00PM with Rev. Maggie Berndt-Dreyer and Rev. Andi Wolf officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 3:00PM until the time of service. Entombment will take place at Lake View Memorial Park.