Birthplace: Red Oak, Iowa Resided In: Red Oak, Iowa Larry Dean Bruce, age 84, of Red Oak, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 31, 2022, at Prairie Gate Care Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Born in Red Oak, Iowa on February 7, 1937, to Henry and Margaret (Binns) Bruce. Larry was raised on the family farm southwest of Red Oak and graduated from Coburg High School in 1954. Following high school, Larry studied at Northwest Missouri State College prior to working for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a Construction Tech 2. He also served in the Iowa Army National Guard. Larry and Joan Delehant were married on September 29, 1962, enjoying 59 ½ years of marriage. Larry was a dedicated family man and was a wonderful husband and father to his 4 children Deb, Fred, Diane and Cindy. In the early 1970's Larry and Joan moved to a family farm south of Red Oak where they lived until 2018, when they built a new home in Red Oak. Larry enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including growing the family favorites of cantaloupe and watermelon in his melon patch; woodworking and making toys for his grandchildren; raising miniature donkeys and also supporting Red Oak Tiger activities for his kids and grandkids. After a long and celebrated career for the Iowa DOT, Larry retired in 1999. After retirement, Larry was able to spend time fishing and traveling with Joan. Highlights of their travels were a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska, their annual trip to Blue Haven Resort in Branson and wintering in Texas. Larry was a long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Larry was one of a kind! He has taught his family and all those around him the value of good character and a fantastic sense of humor. He has faced a lot of adversity over the last few years and has tackled that with grace and a positive attitude. We will treasure these memories and lessons always. Larry is survived by his wife, Joan Bruce of Red Oak, his children: Deb Bruce of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Fred Bruce and his wife Lori of Red Oak, Diane Bruce of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Cindy Akin and husband Ben of Nine Mile Falls, Washington; 5 grandchildren: Sara (Luke) Dailey, Beth (Caleb) Rehbein, and Charlie "Nattie Jo", Sam and Riley Akin; 5 great-grandchildren: Max and Maevery Dailey, and Jaycee, Easton and Maddox Rehbein; sisters: Carolyn (Ron) Ossian of Lincoln, Nebraska and Sharon (Perry) Smith of Red Oak; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margaret Bruce and son-in-law, Jerry Charvat. A celebration of Larry's life will be held on Saturday February 5th, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church Fellowship Hall downstairs. Please use the south parking lot entrance. A Prayer service will start at 11 AM with luncheon and visitation to follow until 1 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. Banana Fruitcake! Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.