Bruce Frank Donelson was born on February 12, 1938, to Theodore and Lorene Donelson. He was born on President Lincoln’s birthday in Lincoln, Nebraska and was always proud to share both of these facts. Early in his childhood, his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Dundee Elementary school and was a graduate of Omaha Central High School. He was proud to be a Central Eagle, where his four children also attended. He was a bit of a rebel in his family, leaving the state of Nebraska, to attend Iowa State. He was so proud to be an Iowa State Cyclone, where he was member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
He enlisted in the army in 1961, serving through the Army Corp of Engineers, in Germany during the Cold War. He achieved the rank of Captain and took great pride in his service and all those that served our country. He was later recognized for his service with an Honor Flight in 2015, visiting all the memorials in Washington D.C.
He worked at Methodist Hospital in Omaha Nebraska for most of his career as the Facilities Director, retiring twice, to work at Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City and then for the Nebraska State Education System, utilizing all his engineering skills. He achieved his Master’s Degree in Economics later in life and thoroughly enjoyed teaching part time at Omaha Metro Community College.
Bruce was a kind, caring and gentle spirited man that was filled with indescribable joy. This joy overflowed to all that knew him. His love for the Lord and his children was evident daily. He was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren. He truly made the most of daily interactions that most overlook. He had a gift for truly leaving people feeling seen and valued. He spent his final four years here in Prairie Village, Kansas and it was common to hear from bank tellers, health care workers, and staff, how positive and encouraging he was despite his circumstances.
He had a deep and abiding love in Jesus and was always hungry to love God and people well. He regularly attended bible study at Brighton Gardens and was faithful to pray for any need that he came across. He was a member at Hillcrest Covenant Church and was quick to greet attendees with a complement and a smile – his positivity was truly infectious. It is not that he did not have struggles or adversity, he just chose to see the glass half full pretty much all of the time.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Lorene, Richard (brother) and sister (Diane), and granddaughter Kaitline Donelson. He is survived by his children Eric of Omaha, Amy Huelle of Kittery, Maine, Paul and wife (Lesley) of Carrollton Georgia, and Susan Mong and husband (Grant) of Overland Park, Kansas, and his grandchildren Colton and Taylor Huelle of Manchester New Hampshire, Molly, Mallory and Dillon Mong of Overland Park, Kansas.
Thank you to everyone who showed care and concern for our Dad, over the last few years in particular. We will miss him grately and we know many of you will miss him as well. He was a special soul.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hillcrest Covenant Church, 8801 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, KS 66207 or Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, IA 50010-2230.
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