Joanne Emily Dodge Bruce went home to be with her Heavenly Father on October 9, 2022.

Joanne Emily Dodge Bruce was born on December 9, 1943 in Delia, Kansas to her parents Leonard and Emily Dodge. Joanne graduated from Delia High School in 1961 where she played sports, excelling in tennis for the bulldogs. After graduation, she moved to Topeka, KS and worked for Goodyear as a key punch operator and then at the Kansas State Capitol. After the love of her life, Mike Bruce, returned home from the Vietnam War, they got married on November 25,1966 at the Rossville Methodist Church in Kansas. They  moved to Huntsville, Texas where they laid roots and helped grow a tree

To know Joanne was to love her. Whether you called her hon, mom, sis, NeeNee, Aunt Joanne, Mama Bruce, or something else, you knew right away that Joanne considered you family. Joanne's smile lit up every room and her heart filled it with more love than one could imagine. During her time on earth, Joanne enjoyed most spending time with her family, especially her grand and great grandchildren. Joanne always had an open heart and an open door. Whatever you needed, she was sure to be there to share God's word, comfort the sad, embrace the joy, listen when no one else would, make you dinner if you were hungry, or give you a safe place to stay, The lives that she touched in her 78 years will forever be remembered. Her beautiful light will continue to shine bright in this world because we are all better for having had Joanne in our lives. She will be greatly missed, but we know Joanne will continue to be proud of us when we continue to love like Joanne.

Joanne is preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Emily Dodge, and two sons Jason Bruce and Michael Bruce. Joanne is survived by her husband Mike Bruce, her son Kevin Bruce (wife Beatrice), daughter Stephanie Bruce (dog Hugo), brother Jim Dodge (wife Janet), grandchildren Maddison (husband Gerrit Kosters), Regan Bruce (fiance Kyle Laake), Damian Bruce, Malcolm Bruce, Madison Goss, Kevan Sims, and Kimberly Sims, great grandchildren, Adam, Levi, Corey, Bryson, and Emma, numerous neices and nephews, and family friends.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Heritage Oak Funeral Home from 12 pm - 1pm, followed by service at 1pm. We will then travel to Farris Cemetery where Joanne will be laid to rest.