Obituary of Leona Gertrude Bruce

Survivors include her children: Theresa Dullea of Springville, Bill (Dolores) Kelchen of Strawberry Point, Betty (Al) DeRosia of Anamosa, Phil (Virginia) Kelchen and Charlie (Vicki) Kelchen, both of Monticello, Lee Kelchen of Mount Vernon, John (Mary) Kelchen of Robins, Ruth (Dick) Pasker of Central City, Steve "Ben" (Kor) Kelchen of Center Junction, 3 daughters-in-law: Harriet Kelchen of Harrisburg, PA, Mary Agatha Kelchen of Monticello, and Betsy Kelchen of Cedar Rapids, 48 grandchildren, 70 greatgrandchildren and 27 great-greatgrandchildren; 3 step-daughters: Mary E. Graessle and Catherine (Joseph) Matthews both of Detroit, MI., and Sheryl (Dave) Bauman of Bettendorf, 1 brother, Jim (Shirley) Crowley of Anamosa, and a sister, Berniece (Dave) Callanan of Marion. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, 3 sons: Allan, Bob and Larry Kelchen, a daughter, Rita Kelchen; 3 sons-in-law: Yale Mills, Bob Pauly and DJ Dullea; a stepson, Franklin Bruce, Jr., a stepdaughter, Rosemary Bruce, a step-son-in-law, Charles Graessle, 3 grandchildren: Alan Kelchen Jr., Roger Pasker and Larry Kelchen Jr.; a step-grandson, Brett Bauman; a brother, Frank Crowley, and 4 sisters: Margaret Crowley, Mamie Pillard, Rita Bohren and Irene Franklin. Leona was born on July 14, 1911, in Faulkton, South Dakota, the daughter of William P. and Elizabeth (Crilley) Crowley. She married Al Kelchen on June 23, 1932. Together they farmed until moving to Monticello in 1968. She began waitressing for several local restaurants. Al preceded her in death in 1970. She married Franklin Bruce on June 12, 1982. He also preceded her in death. Leona loved to spend time with her family. Playing campers dice, spending time at the Flying R campground and playing cards were some of her favorite pastimes. She also enjoyed bowling, watching baseball (especially the Cubs), dancing, playing Bingo and waitress work. Leona G. (Kelchen) Bruce, 97, of Monticello, Iowa died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Friends may call from 3 - 8 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2009, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, Iowa with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monticello, Iowa. Officiating will be Rev. Keith Birch. The family would like to thank Dr. Meyer and the 9th Floor Nursing Staff and Hospice of Mercy, the Monticello Ambulance Staff and the Staffs at Pennington Square and Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care. Memorials are preferred to Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello.