September 12, 2023

Linn County News

Published Sept. 13, 2023

Helen Y. Bruce, 93, of Pflugerville, Texas, went to be with Her Lord on Sept. 7, 2023. Services for Helen will be held on Friday Sept. 15, at Faith Chapel Assembly of God Church, 15000 Newton, Overland Park, Kan. Visitation from 10-11 a.m.; service at 11 a.m. Burial will be held later that day at 2 p.m. at the Woodland Cemetery, Mound City, Kan.

Helen loved to help others and spread joy and sunshine wherever she went. She was very active in her church, offering help and support to anyone in need. She loved to cook Sunday dinner for church friends and guests and loved sharing roses from her garden with friends. Though she lacked formal training (learning to play the piano by ear), she was passionate about playing the piano and singing, especially the hymns. Even as her memory faded in later years, she would continue to play the piano and sing and quote many scriptures.

Helen (known as BeBe to her family) was the youngest of six children born to Susie and Charlie Murray, born Aug. 16, 1930, in Versailles, Mo. Helen’s family would eventually settle in the area of Trading Post, Kan., where her family was active in farming. Following her graduation from Mound City High School in 1948, Helen became a hairdresser and worked and lived in the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City. Helen married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Bruce, in 1955, in Mound City, Kan. Helen’s proudest accomplishment was raising their three children - Jack, Charles (Chuck), and Julia (Julie).

After their wedding, Helen and Bob moved to Elk City, Okla., where Bob was stationed as a lieutenant in the Air Force. After completing their assignment there in 1957, they returned with their two sons to make their longtime home in the Kansas City area. Helen would later move her family to several states, including Louisiana, Texas, and California. Helen and Bob would eventually return to Overland Park, where they had raised their young family and built lifelong friendships. With Bob’s passing in 2018, Helen moved to Austin, Texas to be with her daughter and son-in-law.

Helen was a loving mother and wife and is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jack and Stephanie Bruce of Jacksonville, Fla., Chuck and Kayla Bruce of Leawood, Kan., and Julie and Alvie Nichols of Pflugerville, Texas. Helen was a caring grandmother to her five grandchildren: Rebecca Comeaux (San Antonio, Texas), Robert Bruce (Baldwin City, Kan.), Anne Heart (Nederland, Colo.), Kimmie Bruce (Jacksonville, Fla.), and Danny Bruce (Jacksonville, Fla.); and her six great-grandchildren: Olivia Bruce, Dylan Bruce, Jove Heart, Selen Heart, Estelle Comeaux, and Marcel Comeaux. Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, June O’Rourke, Judy Dunavan, LaVerne Murray, Marvin Murray, and L.D. Murray.

 Helen Bruce, you were a good and faithful servant to God. Enter into the joy of your Lord!