Deanna Lou Bruce

Deanna Lou (Hett) Bruce of Lenexa, Kansas, formerly of McPherson and Kinsley, Kansas  passed away August 15, 2020 at the age of 72.

Born in Marion, Kansas on November 17, 1947, Deanna grew up in Canton, Kansas. She was a graduate of Canton High School. She met Clifford Bruce in Canton and the two were joined in marriage on January 20, 1968. To this union, three children were born: Shawn, Brandi and Brady James.

The couple moved to Kinsley, Kansas in 1970 where Deanna was a stay-at-home mom and then went to work as a store clerk. She then moved into a secretarial job for an insurance agency and also worked as a waitress for many years.

She then took a job as a secretary for the Dodge City Community College outreach center in Kinsley. It was a job she loved, and one in which she excelled. She adored "her students" and had a gift for making each feel special. The couple later moved to McPherson where she took on a similar role for Hutchinson Community College in the McPherson outreach center. She would retire from that with the appreciation and thanks of hundreds of students and administrators. She treasured those memories and her Hutchinson Community College blanket which she used every day until her passing.

Health problems affected her in retirement, but she stubbornly battled them with the help of her husband, who served as her primary caretaker. Her grandchildren, Paige, Jade, and Jax, were a never-ending source of joy, and she treasured every visit and phone call. Her family was a continuing source of comfort and support and she always looked forward to trips to the casino with her mother and Clifford when she was feeling well.

Survivors include: a son, Shawn (Dawn), Overland Park; a daughter, Brandi Fernandez (Dan), Lenexa; three grandchildren, Paige Parker, Overland Park; Jade Parker, Lenexa and Jax Fernandez, Lenexa; her mother, Dolores Hett, Canton, Kansas; three sisters, Donetta Marston (Larry), Pratt, Kansas; Donna Shields (Galen), McPherson, Kansas; and Darla Morris (Daryl), Newton, Kansas; three brothers, Denny (Jeanie), Danny (Debbie), and Darrin (Terri), all of Canton, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford, an infant son Brady James, her father Don Hett, a sister Diane Toews, and a brother Douglas Hett.

Per Deanna's and Clifford's wishes, both bodies have been cremated and the ashes will be joined together. A private burial will take place at a future date.