Bruce loved to joke around to make people laugh. I spent waaayy too much time at his flling station laughing with/at him. He was a good man. GOD BLESS.
Bruce Nunemaker
April 9, 1949 ~ June 21, 2021
Bruce Charles Nunemaker, 72, passed away June 21, 2021, after a long journey with dementia. Bruce was born April 9, 1949, son of Charles Bruce Nunemaker and Donna (Kruse) Nunemaker. He married Cathy Matus in August 1968, they were later divorced.
Surviving to cherish memories are his sons, Eric (Christine), Shad, and Kirk; his grandchildren, Oliver, Alison, Evelyn, Emily, and Arianna; and great grandson, Asher. Also, his brothers, Mike (Deb), Dave, and Jerry (Tina) and sisters, Deb Bierman (Scott), Sheila Townsend (Roger); special friend, Linda Lemois; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding Bruce in death are his parents; infant son, Sean; sister, Barbara Oestern; and sister-in-law, Kathy Nunemaker.
Bruce was a kind and gentle man of faith, an accomplished musician who used his musical gift to lift others and entertain. He lived in Colorado for four decades. Over the years, Bruce played in many bands in the Midwest and in Colorado, notably, Sights and Sounds, IBTC, and in Colorado, The Jim Hyatt Band. In 2007, Bruce was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his accomplishments with the band, Al's Untouchables. His outgoing, friendly personality enhanced a successful sales career. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with Linda, and always, his music. Dementia robbed Bruce of so much but could never take his love of family, friends and music from him.
Bruce's family wishes to thank his caregivers at Irving Point, Davenport Lutheran Home, and Crestridge Care Center.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m., with a vigil at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral Mass: 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021, at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1350 Lyndhurst Drive, Hiawatha, Iowa. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Friends and extended family are invited to watch the Funeral Mass via webcast. Please find the webcast link on Bruce's Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bruce's honor to the Alzheimer's Association.
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C. Bruce Nunemaker, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. on Friday, December 31, 2010, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. David Beckman and Rev. Gerald Condon. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Visitation also one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Donna; sons, Bruce Jr. Nunemaker (Linda Lemois) of Aurora, Colorado, Michael (Deb) Nunemaker, David (Kathleen) Nunemaker, and Gerald Nunemaker, all of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Deborah (Scott) Bierman of Decorah, Iowa, and Sheila (Roger) Townsend of Clive, Iowa; brother, Richard (Evelyn) Nunemaker of Hiawatha; and 24 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and many nieces nephews and great friends. Bruce was born December 4, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Francis and Agnes (Duffy) Nunemaker. He married Donna Kruse on September 7, 1948, in Cedar Rapids. Bruce worked at Wilson Foods, was a heavy equipment welder at the LaPlante-Choate/Allis Chalmers for ten years and then as an auto mechanic for over 20 years. He owned and operated Bruce's Phillips 66 and Nunemaker Auto. Prior to retirement he worked at A'Hearn Plumbing. Bruce was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and the Legion of Mary Honor Guard. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Barbara Oestern; brothers, William, Theodore, and Francis Nunemaker; and sister, Eileen Whitmore. A memorial fund has been established.
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May your memories be a source of comfort at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
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Rest in peace Bruce. We had a lot of fun years together. No more garages to clean out!! Say hi to Barb and my mom and dad.
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I’m glad Dad’s at peace. We all go back a really long time and share a lot of memories. God bless all of our families.
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Sheila, Thinking of you. I remember your Dad always had a joke when I would come over in our high school days… Sincerely, Sherry (Nelson)
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Brooke & family,
Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your entire family at this most difficult time. Please know we are thinking of you all and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May the wonderful memories you have of him help you at this time of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. -
Sheila, My heart goes out to your and your family!! You’re in my thoughts and prayers! Susie
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To the Nunemaker family my thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this time of sorrow.
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So sorry to hear about your loss. Bruce was quite the jokester! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love & Blessings, Jeff & Sue
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I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Bruce. Tom & I have you in our thoughts & prayers. I know how hard it is to loose your dad. I have so many memories of Uncle Bruce & time spent together. He always made me laugh & feel good. He will be missed.
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My sympathy goes out to Bruce’s family. You are all my in thoughts and prayers at this difficult.
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I was a friend of Joni Houser, sorry for your loss.
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bruce was such a funny man.hecould always lift ones spirit.the one thing i remember about him was ,he was such a devoted husband to his wife donna.to the nunemaker famley id like to say is i’m so sorry for your loss.
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Our condolences to the Nunemaker family in this tough time. Bruce is in a better place but will be missed by all.
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Donna and family,
Courtney and I are heartbroken to hear of Bruce’s recent death. We are so sorry we are not able to attend either the wake or the funeral. Please know that our love, hugs, tears, and most importantly, our prayers are offered up for all of you and for the repose of Bruce’s soul. Your family is our family — always has been, always will be. Bruce was like a lovable, funny grandfather to Courtney and Justin. They heard his jokes and stories so often that they could finish them for him! He taught them so much – how to love, to laugh, to work, most of all, how to pray. Some of the best times were talking, eating or playing cards together around the kitchen table. His heart was as big as the ocean and his Catholic faith as deep as the sea. There was something very profound and powerful seeing Bruce and Donna praying the rosary together every night with Mother Angelica on EWTN. Bruce and I had numerous discussions over the years about faith, family and politics. He loved you all so, so much and wanted nothing more than for all of his children and grandchildren to embrace and practice their Catholic faith. His earthly journey has ended and his everlasting life is just beginning. May he eternally rest in peace. -
My heart and prayers go out to all of you! Bruce always knew how to make people laugh! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a smile on his face–or a joke to be heard! God bless you all!
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I have many fond memories of Bruce. He was a special man who loved people. May the Lord comfort you all in this time of loss.
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We extend our sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. He was a good man. We met him and his wife at one of the rosaries and became good friends. God bless his soul.
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Have known Bruce for many years during his time in Colorado. He was a gentle soul with a wonderful voice. He loved playing music and was a great friend. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Love you Bruce. Rip Nancee Meng and Bob Stevens
He was a kind man and the greatest grandfather a child could have. He taught me to have a passion for music and be kind and forgiving. My favorite memory comes to me in a flash, all I remember is the joy that poured out of him as he sang and played his guitar on stage. I will miss you forever Boppy. I love you.
With deepest sympathy,
I had the pleasure of switching bass and guitar duties with Bruce in the original Sights and Sounds. Because of Bruce’s great voice, we could play soul and rhythm and blues. We were a great band! Some of the happiest days were playing with the Sights and Sounds and watching Bruce crank the crowd up on the dance floor with his professional front man abilities despite his young age. And if we meet in the next life, I hope we get to do it all again. Steve Armstrong, Cedar Rapids
I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce through my mom, Linda Lemois. He was the kindest human I have ever met. He exuded joy in everything he did. Music was a big part of his life but his grandchildren (including my boy) were the light of his life. Ryan and I will miss him dearly.
Bruce was an amazing man who loved everyone around him. My kids adored him, my daughter especially who seemed to take an instant liking to him. This world is definitely a bit darker without his light in it anymore, and we will miss him greatly. God Bless You Bruce