Leland Ronald Bruderer passed away peacefully on September 7, 2022. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 3, 1926 to Charles and Josephine Bruderer as the youngest of 8 children. He attended East High School and later graduated from The University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in art. After finishing college, he served a 3 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland and Austria. Upon returning, he attended a meeting at The Assembly Hall at Temple Square, where a beautiful girl caught his eye. After convincing her that he was a “nice boy”, she agreed to go out with him. Their love soon blossomed, and he married Lou Jean Taylor in the Salt Lake Temple on February 19, 1953.
Soon after marriage, Leland began working for The Church Education System (CES). He used his artistic talent to coordinate the furnishings in the Seminary and Institute buildings, making them more beautiful and inviting. His role in CES grew and he was eventually appointed to be the Director of Payroll and Benefits for the Seminaries and Institutes of the Church.
Leland always had a talent for seeing the potential in something and making it beautiful. He spent much of his time in his yard growing beautiful flowers. He had a special fondness for roses. He nurtured more than 50 different varieties of roses. He loved his flowers, and knew them all by name. He sought out varieties that were rare and notoriously difficult to grow. He knew the care needed for each plant to produce the most fragrant and beautiful blooms. He enjoyed sharing his love for others by giving flowers to neighbors and co-workers. His grandchildren usually left his home with their own mini bouquet.
Together, Leland and Jean raised 6 sons, all of whom earned their Eagle Scout Awards and served full time missions for the Church throughout the world. Their home was always beautiful and inviting. Leland loved having family over and always greeted them with a warm hug and a kind smile. Leland was preceded in death by his dear wife Jean, his parents and 7 siblings. He is survived by his 6 sons: Keith (Lyzz), Craig (Susan), Reed (Diane), Mark (Julie), Neil (Cherise) and Paul (Brooke). Leland and Jean have 27 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.
Leland was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held many different callings, several of which were leadership positions. After retirement, he returned to the same mission field of his youth with his wife Jean, serving in the Vienna, Austria Mission. With all of the callings he held throughout his life, his favorite by far was being a teacher. He loved helping each student come to know Jesus Christ. Like his roses, he understood that with enough effort and faith in Christ, even the most difficult students could bloom with the joy of the Gospel. Those who knew him, knew of his testimony of the Gospel, because he loved to share it.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 15, 2022 at the East Millcreek Stake Center (3103 E Craig Drive, Salt Lake City, UT). A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT) and Thursday morning 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.
Livestream Link https://zoom.us/j/99962513753
