Arthur L. “Bud” Bruch Jr, 87, of Arcadia, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at his home in Arcadia.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at St. John Catholic Church in Arcadia. The Celebrant will be Fr. Lynn Bruch. Concelebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Music will be by Sharon Bierl and the St. John Choir. Mass Servers will be Madison Hedman and Claire Venner. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Jerome Henkenius. Gift Bearers will be Art’s great-grandchildren: Cloie, Nicholas, Jocelyn, Benjamin, and Phillip. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Art’s grandchildren: Elisabeth, Karissa, Zack, Genevieve, Jacob, Wesley, Mona, Tina, James, Jenny, and Cody. Casket Bearers will be Rick Lawler, Travis Riesberg, Roger Liechti, Ed Vogl, Ken Venner, Loren Bruch, Gary Wittrock, and Greg Haberl. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Arcadia.
A visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the Funeral Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the Bruch family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Arthur L (Bud) Bruch Jr was born on April 23, 1938 to Arthur A. Sr and Regina (Grossman) Bruch, at St. Anthony Hospital, in Carroll, Iowa. The fourth and middle child of Seven children, he grew up on a farm South of Arcadia. He attended St. Johns elementary school, followed by three years at Arcadia High School completing his final year of education at Kuemper Catholic High School, graduating in 1956 as part of the first class with boys to graduate from Kuemper.
On September 26, 1959, Art married the Love of His Life, Rita Ann Haberl at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Carroll, Iowa, with his uncle, Fr. Walter Bruch, officiating. Together they shared 65 wonderful years of Marriage at Arcadia, while raising their daughters, Lisa and Karla, while installing in them the values of hard work, integrity and commitment.
Faith was the foundation of Arts life. A Lifelong member of St. John’s where he gave generously of his time and talents, from serving as president on the St. John/St Ann School Board, President of the Parish Council, member of the cemetery committee, and along with Rita to represent the Parish on the Kuemper school board. Joining as a member with his dad and four brothers he became Knights of Columbus in 1962.
For many years Art gave his time wherever he saw a need. Including the days when he would stop early in the morning to clean the school and church sidewalks before heading to work during the wintertime. Over his lifetime he was active in his community as a member of the Arcadia Fire Department, served as a council member & was the President of the board of directors for the Arcadia Independent telephone company.
Obtaining a Chauffeurs (CDL) License at the age of 18, starting his trucking career. Art started hauling grain and livestock for Hausman & Schmitz, later partnering with Speed and forming Hausman & Bruch Trucking. Then forming Bruch trucking with Rita at his side as dispatcher & bookkeeper. In 1977 Art moved his family to the farm south of Arcadia and continued to truck and farm until retiring from farming in 2009. Art continued trucking until age of 86 with the last twenty-eight years spent driving for Tiefenthaler Ag Lime Inc. Which he truly enjoyed and looked forward to everyday.
Family was very special to him; he enjoyed spending time with his daughters & their families. His grandkids were very special to him as he was to them. He was always proud & talked about their accomplishments in school, sports & music.
Throughout his life he enjoyed coffee, playing cards with family & friends. Art loved listening to old time music of Polka & Waltz’s and for many years attending the weekly dances with Rita at the Arcadia Legion Hall. No one was a stranger. He could talk to and make conversation with anyone he met.
Art’s life was a beautiful reflection of Faith, hard work, Love and service. He was a mentor to many young men throughout his lifetime. His legacy of Kindness, strength and devotion lives on through his family and all who had the privilege to know him. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished and remembered.
Art is survived by his wife Rita Ann, daughters Lisa (Jim) Hoffman, Karla (Ken) McMillen Grandchildren Elisabeth, Karissa, Zack, Genevieve, Jacob (Alora), Wesley, Mona (Larry), Tina (Rob), James (Crystal) Jenny (Darell) Cody (Kendra) along with 21 Great grandchildren. Sisters Anita (Cyril) Venner, Carol (Jim) Starman as well as his in laws Betty Bruch, Darlene Willenborg, Norma Anthofer, Bernie Haberl, Erwin (MaryJane) Haberl, Leroy (Carol) Haberl, & Ed (Annette) Haberl; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Art & Regina Bruch, his siblings & spouses Paul & Darlene Bruch, Leo Bruch, Robert & Lois Bruch, Marvin & Rita Eva Bruch. His father & mother-in-law Ben & Genevieve Haberl. As well as his in-laws Alvin & Rita Haberl, Marlin Haberl, Donald & MaryAnn Haberl, Alvin Anthofer, Joleen & Ed Bauer, & Jay Haberl
