Bruce LeRoy Reis of Des Moines passed away Oct. 20, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife and children at the EveryStep Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bruce was born March 6, 1950, in Ames, Iowa. He was the second son of five children of Raymond and Lillian (Johnson) Reis.
Following graduation from Woodbine High School in 1968, Bruce attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where he received a degree in business.
Bruce was a devoted brother and regarded family as his top priority.
Bruce married Linda Seeley on Aug. 10, 1973.
He had an unwavering loyalty, work ethic and determination for doing his best. He worked for Tommy Gate in western Iowa for many years before moving to Perry in 1992. He finished his sales career of nearly four decades at Jim Hawk Trailers.
Throughout his life, Bruce was a talented vegetable gardener who loved sharing his harvest. He and Linda’s shared vision of their beautiful historic home renovations could have been an HGTV series.
As a brother, husband, father and grandfather, he taught by example to keep your word and if you’re not happy, do something about it, and don’t live your life complaining.
Bruce had high morals. He was always polite and available to listen without judgement or comment unless asked.
He loved to be outdoors, respected the environment and while we joked about his frugality, he was a savvy investor and taught his family to be financially responsible.
Bruce loved spending time with his family, who are the pride of his life. He didn’t miss an event of his four children and supported them without pressure. He taught them a variety of life skills, from ice fishing at Willow Lake and building sturdy tree houses to enduring friendships to running a small business, Park Snacks in Woodbine.
He took on the role of grandpa with ease, from hourlong golf cart rides to tickle time and bottomless bowls of fruit loops.
In retirement, Bruce enjoyed golfing and traveling with Linda and fishing, “Fishy, fishy in the brook, please get on my little hook” was his call, and there wasn’t a fish he didn’t keep and clean.
Survivors include wife, Linda of Des Moines; daughter, Kasey, and her partner Don Burton, of Des Moines; daughter, Kate, and her husband, Steve Clark, and grandchildren, Owen and Eloise, of Des Moines; son, Jim, and his wife, Rachel Reis, and grandsons, Benton and Tyson, of Adel; daughter, Fran, and her husband, Ben Seitz, and grandchildren, Henry and Hazel, of Oak View, California; sister, Barbara Craver of Davenport; sister, Kristin Hill of Palm Harbor, Florida.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael Reis; and sister, Susan Tweedy.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at EveryStep Kavanagh House for the exceptional care Bruce received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. A celebration of Bruce’s life is planned for Saturday, Nov. 26 from 2-6 p.m. at the Proletariat, 1213 Second St. in Perry.
