Bruce Donald Kroese

Bruce Donald Kroese
April 10, 1970 – January 12, 2021

Bruce was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 10, 1970, to Don and Sheryl Kroese and was the oldest of nine children. Bruce studied at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Advertising/Journalism and an MBA with an emphasis in Agribusiness. Bruce joined Union Pacific Railroad in 2000, holding several positions throughout his tenure. Bruce and Shawntell were married in 2008 and raised four kids together, Ellie, Reese, Hadley, and Landon.

Bruce was so many things to so many people. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, and uncle; a thoughtful and trusted friend; a wise mentor. He was honest, genuine, introspective, funny, and incredibly generous, and wise. Bruce loved spending time with his family and attending his kids’ activities. Bruce approached everything in life with an innate curiosity. He was always thinking deeply to find the meaning, the history, and the facts no matter what the topic and challenged those around him to do the same. Bruce was the first one to volunteer to pick up the tab at a restaurant or give to others in need. He offered wisdom and a unique perspective to anyone asking his advice. Bruce had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh; his unique ‘giggle’ was endearing.

Bruce was a man of strong faith; he loved God and he tried to live in a way that was pleasing to the Lord.  Bruce will be missed tremendously by all those who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by grandparents, Harlan & Goldie Doeschot, Marius & Gladys Kroese; sister, Katherine Kroese. Survived by wife, Shawntell, daughters: Ellie Pichler, Reese Pichler, Hadley Kroese; son, Landon Kroese; parents, Don & Sheryl Kroese; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tim & Pam Hurtgen; brothers, Kase (Alison) Kroese, Zach Kroese; sisters: Angie Kroese, Rebecca (Ryan) Revis, Deborah (Dusty) Fahrnbruch, Hannah (Jon) Jessen, Abigail (Joseph) Harris, Gretchen (Will) Haer; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Visitation Sunday, Jan 17th 2:00-4:00 PM. Funeral Monday, Jan 18th at 11:00 AM all at Christ Community Church, 404 S. 108 St. in Omaha, NE. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park. Bruce loved watching his children’s activities. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any memorials be made to the family to support his children’s activities. https://gofund.me/166ee374

For those not attending in person, the funeral will be live-streamed. To view the live broadcast of the Services, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

41 Comments

  • Jim Sedlak Posted January 14, 2021 6:12 pm

    Our deepest condolences go out to Shawntell and the family. I have many great memories of Bruce from the past. Smart, funny guy that we had many great laughs with. He is missed!

    Sincerely,
    Jim & Mandi Sedlak

  • Eric Thurber Posted January 14, 2021 6:44 pm

    I am so sorry to hear the news. I am high school friend of Bruce’s and wanted to send my condolences on his passing.

  • Dana Duensing Posted January 14, 2021 7:02 pm

    My deepest condolences to the Kroese family. Bruce and I were best friends in HighSchool and college. We all hung out together a lot and I’m grateful for the time we spent together and the jokes and laughter we shared. Bruce will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

  • Tim Morgan Posted January 14, 2021 7:34 pm

    Shawntell, we fell so sad for the much to early loss of Bruce. Keeping you and the entire family in our prayers during this very difficult time.

  • Jay Wexler Posted January 14, 2021 7:46 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending prayers for healing.

  • Dave Hogan Posted January 15, 2021 8:15 am

    I am so sorry for your loss I didn’t know bruce that well when we went to school together but I remember hie had a wonderful sense of humor .

  • Janet Near Posted January 15, 2021 9:17 am

    Shawntell and family,

    I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope that your memories of past good times together will comfort all of you now and in the future.

  • Connie Roseberry Posted January 15, 2021 9:41 am

    My heart breaks for Shawntell and the children. I pray that the memories of Bruce and his love for you endures and sustains you through this incredibly difficult time.

  • Lauren Vilter Posted January 15, 2021 11:31 am

    I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead.

  • Laura A. Heisterkamp Posted January 15, 2021 2:53 pm

    I am so incredibly sad at this huge loss of such a wonderful person. Please know that Shawntell, his beautiful children and extended family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Julie Carlson Posted January 15, 2021 6:04 pm

    I am so incredibly sorry for your family’s loss. Sending many prayer to your family.

  • Donna Gault Posted January 15, 2021 6:56 pm

    Shawntell and family, my heart and prayers are abound for you. I have such great memories of working with Bruce. He was the best listener and had good feedback to give. He loved you and the life you created together. I am so proud of you and I know you have the strength to get through the days to come. Sweet blessing to my dear Shawntell

  • Chuck Janousek Posted January 15, 2021 7:47 pm

    I was so sorry to hear about Bruce’s passing. I know this is a very sad and difficult time for you and your family. You have my very deepest sympathy..

  • Rich & Sharon Krueger Posted January 15, 2021 7:52 pm

    Shawntell, I am a cousin to Bruce’s grandfather, Harlan Doeschot. Harlan was so proud of Bruce, and he would often talk about Bruce when we visited him. He would tell us when he went up to Omaha to celebrate birthdays or a holiday. We felt as if we knew Bruce and the honorable person he was after hearing his Grandpa Doeschot brag about him. He loved his first grandson. He appreciated that Bruce stayed in touch with him. Our prayers are with you, Shawntell and children, Don and Sheryl, and all of Bruce’s siblings.

  • Joan Kohnke Posted January 16, 2021 8:35 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Bill Abele Posted January 16, 2021 10:14 am

    It is with my deepest condolences to the family of Bruce. We are all saddened to hear of his passing. Once a Titan always a Titan.

  • Alyce (Nieveen) Tejral Posted January 16, 2021 10:52 am

    My sympathy to your family.

  • Matt & Tina Lindberg Posted January 16, 2021 3:37 pm

    A tragic event for the family and friends. Bruce was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him.

  • Tony Love Posted January 16, 2021 9:57 pm

    So sad to learn of Bruce’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Shawntell and family.

  • Jamie, Kelli, Makenzie & Jackson Burmeister Posted January 17, 2021 12:14 pm

    Many thoughts and continued prayers for your family. So very sorry for your loss.

  • Joyce & Rick Decker Posted January 17, 2021 12:20 pm

    Our deepest condolences go out to Shawntell and the family during this difficult time.

  • Kyle Bellin Posted January 17, 2021 3:32 pm

    Looking back on knowing Bruce all through grade school, all I have are fond memories, mostly involving laughter. Things always seemed more bright when Bruce was around. He was kind, caring, sensitive, supportive, and would help ease painful times through humor. I know I am fortunate to have had a friend in Bruce through my childhood, and I know that anyone who got to know him in his adult life would consider themselves at least as fortunate. I am sorry for your pain. I know Bruce will be missed.

  • Richard and Myrna Lettow Posted January 17, 2021 5:11 pm

    Shawntell, we are so sorry for the loss of your loved one…you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Paul Maass Posted January 17, 2021 7:08 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. I know Bruce through his work – his professionalism and positive demeanor made it a pleasure to know him. I wish his entire family strength during the difficult days ahead. God bless

  • Hickam Family Posted January 17, 2021 8:48 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our prayers.

  • Marissa and Patrick Keller Posted January 18, 2021 7:59 am

    Sending love and prayers to your family. Bruce was an incredible man and we are thankful to have known him. We are incredibly sorry for your loss.

  • Samuel Ogdie Posted January 18, 2021 9:18 am

    Cathie, Sam, Joe and Alexis Ogdie want to express out deep sadness to Shawntell and the family. We loved Bruce deeply.

  • Jim Vranicar Posted January 18, 2021 10:28 am

    My condolences to the entire Kroese family, especially Shawntell and the kids. I worked with Bruce at the Daily Nebraskan in college and got to see him periodically over the years. Bruce was a pleasure to be around as he always fostered real and legitimate conversations which I respected greatly. He will be missed. May God Bless you all and comfort you during this trying time.

  • Cory Adamson Posted January 18, 2021 11:09 am

    I am so sorry for your loss Shawntell, Don, Sheryl and all of the family. Bruce will be greatly missed and my prayers and thoughts are with you all.

  • Michael Hall Posted January 18, 2021 12:05 pm

    I would like to give my condolences to all of Bruce’s Family. I met Bruce in college and he was part of the group of guys I hung out with quite a bit and talked sports, girls and everything else with. Bruce ALWAYS had a strong opinion and you had better be able to defend any position you took on any subject or Bruce would explain why you were wrong! In the past few years we haven’t seen each other much but he did come on his PIUS X buddies 50th birthday trip to Chicago. I was glad he did! He is gone way too soon and he will be missed. Shawntell, I live in Omaha so if you need anything please reach out to me.

  • Richard and Linda French Posted January 18, 2021 12:36 pm

    We were so sorry to hear of your family suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and Bruce’s death. We know how close Caleb is to your family and have prayed for each of you during this difficult time. “May the Lord command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 With love, Dick and Linda French (Caleb’s grandparents)

  • Susan Brown Posted January 18, 2021 2:26 pm

    I was so deeply sadden to hear of Bruce’s passing. He was thoughtful, genuine and caring in everything he did. I feel very fortunate to have known him. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Bill Swanson Posted January 18, 2021 5:52 pm

    Shawntell and family, Peggy and I are so sorry to learn of you loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.

    Bill and Peggy Swanson

  • Pat Gruda Posted January 19, 2021 11:31 am

    As a friend of Bruce’s parents, my heart goes out to all of the family of this special and much loved man. This past year has taken many good people too soon. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.

  • Leslie Garth Posted January 19, 2021 3:39 pm

    My deepest condolences go out to Shawntell and all of Bruce’s family, friends, and loved ones. He was a truly kind man and has been taken way too soon. My heart goes out to all of you, and I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Greg Schneider Posted January 20, 2021 10:18 am

    Shawntell and Family, I’m saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. God bless you all, you are in my prayers.

  • Rob Girardot Posted January 20, 2021 12:56 pm

    Shawntell and Family. Our prayers and sympathies to you all. I had the pleasure of working with Bruce over the years. When we broke from our business discussions, and moved on to social hour, Bruce’s conversations were always focused on you and your children and how happy he was with his family time and children’s activities. You were the center of his world,. May God comfort you in your loss

  • Amy Rice Posted January 20, 2021 4:42 pm

    Shawntell, what a terrible loss. I enjoyed getting to know both you and Bruce through work, and you both spoke so affectionately about your family. Thinking of you.

  • Susan Bourgeois Posted January 20, 2021 7:53 pm

    Sheryl and Don I am heartbroken for you at this time of great loss. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

  • Barbara ONeill Posted January 26, 2021 5:30 pm

    Shawntell, I just learned about Bruce. My heart goes out to you and your family. My interactions with Bruce at the UP were always good and so professional. I will pray for all of you and hope that your memories and love will help you get through this unbelievably difficult time in your life. Take care, Barbara O’Neill

  • Ellen Beatty-Lunde Posted January 27, 2021 9:51 am

    Shawntell – I just heard about this. I am so very sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your family in my heart and prayers.

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