It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph R. Bruch announces his passing on December 25, 2023 while in hospice care in Ames, Iowa.
Joseph was born on June 27, 1944, to Joseph and Hildegard Bruch. He spent his early years on the farm in Pocahontas County and, like so many farm kids, helped his dad with chores and later assisted with the farm work. His school years were spent at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda, from which he graduated in 1962.
With the threat of the war in Vietnam in the mid 60’s, Joe enlisted in the Air Force and was trained in the operation and maintenance of computers. It was a time he remembered fondly and he spoke often about the pride and acceptance he found in the service. When Joe left the Air Force, he joined several of his buddies in the start-up of a computer maintenance service for Burroughs computers.
Throughout his military and work career, Joe spent many years in California and truly was an adopted son. He loved the ocean but most of all, he loved the weather. He quickly became a member of Raider Nation and cheered or lamented based on the outcome of the game that week.
Joe married Claudia Freeman in 1967. They proudly welcomed two children, Joe in 1968 and Renee in 1970. They enjoyed a California lifestyle with occasional trips to Iowa to visit family. Joe always cherished his relatives in Carroll County and wanted to share the warm family heritage with his children.
In addition to family and California sunshine, Joe loved to cook and collected everything involved in cooking, from cast iron skillets and baking pans, to spices, condiments and cookbooks. He loved to cook the perfect roast or the most tender pork chop.
Joe endured many health challenges throughout his lifetime. As a child, he suffered a broken leg that was complicated by his allergic reaction to adhesive tape. In mid-life, he was diagnosed with colon cancer but handled it bravely. Later in life, he suffered kidney failure.
Joe is lovingly remembered by his survivors: son Joe and his wife Christa, daughter Marilyn Renee and her husband Marcos Alvarado; grandchildren Kayla Young and her husband Zach Young, Chelsea Dames and her husband Tristan Dames, Austin Bruch and his fiancé Andrea, Jerry Schossow and his wife Nikki, Nicky Alvarado, Rosa Alvarado, and Trinity Alvarado; great grandchildren Connor, Liam, Lukas, Delaney, Asher and baby Bruch on the way.
Also surviving are siblings Mary Ann Zug, John Bruch and his wife Diane, and Rita Lehtola and her husband Peter, and nieces and nephews.
Joe had chosen to be cremated. His ashes will be interred at Sacramento National Veterans Cemetery in Dixon California.
Joe’s family would like to thank the medical professionals who cared for him in Carroll, Fort Dodge and Ames. Sincere thanks and kind regards are also extended to the residents of Stonebridge and manager Wendy Bock for the friendship and peace they extended to Joe in his final years.
Local funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Joseph’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
