Bruce McNeff

R. Bruce McNeff passed away June 17th 2016 at Banner Health Care Hospital in Ogallala Ne following an illness that had been worsened by his chronic health issues.  His family was at his bedside during this time

Bruce was born on December 14th 1942 to Roy and Reba McNeff in rural Keith County.  He attended St. Pauls Lutheran elementary school in Ogallala Ne and High School in Brule Ne, where he played various sports, was involved in activities.  There he met his wife Jeanne K. Frates whom he married on June 23rd 1963.  He then began his over 25 year career in farming in rural Brule Ne.  He hired many hired hands and was often referred to as “The Colonel”

During that time he joined the National Guard, became a father to his 4 children-Brian, Toni, Andy and Carol, became a pilot, built and flew his airplane to many areas of the United States.  In 1985 he stopped farming and became an owner/operator of his own trucking company which he ran with his son Brian for 7 years.  He then became employed as a freight hauler for 3 different trucking companies. 

In the past, Bruce was actively involved in St. Johns Lutheran church of Brule, Brule Lions Club, volunteer fire department of Brule, slow pitch softball, basketball, and the Brule cemetery board. 

Bruce and Jeanne were married just under 54 years and during that time he supported her many activities never holding her back if she was needed to help run a wrestling tournament, a girl scout camp or to help one of their children, no matter how long she may need to be gone. 

Bruce was very proud of all of his children and attended many school and sporting events, supporting the various things they came up with.  He taught them to love the outdoors, gardening, snow skiing, water/camping, and got them and many other town kids involved in calf 4H.

Bruce’s many hobbies included gardening, wire sculpting, designing and welding rebar and barbed wire cactuses, shooting, hunting and collecting many friends throughout his life.  He also loved music, playing the accordion and the piano, and could often be known to rouse his children and their friends in the mornings with loud renditions of his favorite songs.  Two of his granddaughters learned their love of piano from him.

He collected friends wherever he was in life, and was generous with his time, resources, storied and jokes to so many.  Bruce saw a need and tried to figure a way to fill it, and he guided many of his children’s friends with advice and odd jobs and even started a summer crew of kids to hoe beans and play softball.

Bruce had 5 grandchildren who all loved him and he wrote them numerous letters, told jokes, stories and poems.  He attended many of their various activities with school, dance, sports and music and just last summer was able to make a few softball tournaments and enjoyed his last camping trip to Lake Mac, creating many wonderful memories.

He had a way of getting his kids and grandkids to do what he wanted, his way and gently guided his oldest son Brian to propose just last week to his girlfriend Chris.

Bruce had a particular soft spot for many of the neighbor kids and welcomed them to come visit (even if they may have picked him his only tulips), eat ice cream and draw pictures.  He told them stories, mostly appropriate jokes and always asked for a joke in return.

Stories and memories of Bruce could fill many books and he never met a stranger that couldn’t be called a friend. 

Bruce died a happy man, leaving behind a legacy of stories, RULES, jokes and smiles.

Bruce was preceded in death by his brother Murl, his parents Reba and Roy, his son Andy, his daughter Toni, her husband Tim and their two daughters Ardena and Jessica.

Survivors include his wife Jeanne, son Brian (fiance Chris Gantz), all of Brule; daughter Carol (John) Biel of York; grandsons: Seynen and Caylen McNeff of Lincoln and granddaughter Emily Biel of York; great-grandson Asher McNeff of Lincoln; one brother Russell (Debbie) McNeff of Denver; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

The family chose cremation. The memorial service will be Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church in Brule with Rev. Jon Dickmander officiating. The Service will be live streamed from for those unable to attend.

Inurnment is in the Brule Cemetery. Memorials have been established to St. John's Lutheran Church or to the various needs of the Brule community.

Memorials will be distributed between St. Johns Lutheran Church of Brule and the various community services of Brule.

Online condolences may be sent to webmaster@drauckerfh.com or by signing the Guest Book at www.drauckerfh.com.  Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

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