Paula Bruce

Paula Bruce, age 66, of Yankton, South Dakota died on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Deacon Shane Kleinschmit officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please wear Husker gear or the color red and join us in celebrating Paula. 

Paula was born June 6, 1958 in Fremont, Nebraska to John and Mary Lynn (Moss) Bruce. The family moved to Yankton when she was a young girl and Paula graduated from Yankton High School in 1976. She attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1980. Paula then taught high school, first in Villisca, IA and then Howells, NE. She spent the majority of her life living in Omaha, NE and teaching English and Spanish at Platteview High School in Springfield, NE until she retired. Paula also worked at Mangelsen’s in Omaha which she really enjoyed. She was very artistic and loved making crafts for her family and friends. Paula was an avid sports fan. She enjoyed going to the College World Series but most of all, she loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Paula moved to Yankton in 2023 to be closer to her family and really enjoyed being close to them. Paula is greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

Paula is survived by four siblings: Mary Lea Chute of Yankton, Mike (Laurie) Bruce of Urbandale, IA, Kathy Bruder of Wakonda, SD and Patty Vavra of Yankton; six nieces and nephews: David (Amy) Bruce, Stacey Swenson (Michael McIlroy), Adam (Julie) Bruce, Tyler Hoebelheinrich, Ian Bruder and Henry Spotted Wood; four great nieces and nephew: Nicholas, Alice, Evelyn and Levon; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.