Obit: Spiegel, Bruce H. (1922 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Spiegel, Mackeprang, Laufenberg, Minneci, Oertel, VanDehey, Knaack, Michaud

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/28/2021

Spiegel, Bruce H. (30 October 1922 – 27 April 2021) With Flag

Bruce H. Spiegel of Granton, Wisconsin passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, at the age of 98 on April 27, 2021 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield.

Bruce was born at home Oct 30, 1922, to Alfred and Helga (Mackeprang) Spiegel in Neillsville. Bruce went to school at Cunningham and Cannonville, graduating from the 8th grade at Cannonville school. By fourteen, he had helped his father build a barn on the family farm, worked for a neighbor cutting wood, and helped his uncle build both a house and a barn as a carpenter’s apprentice. In 1941, he then attended the Marshfield Vocational Technical School. Bruce graduated from Marshfield vocational technical school in Feb 1942 with a certificate in welding. He then worked in welding jobs for Harischfeger Corp in Milwaukee and Walter Butler shipyards in Superior. On October 30th, 1942 (his 20th birthday), Bruce enlisted in the army serving with the 12th armored division in the European Theater of Operations. He was a technician 4th class serving under General Patton.

After an honorable discharge on Jan 27, 1946, Bruce worked with his older brother Edgar in the trucking business. In 1947, Bruce and his younger brother Alfred went into partnership buying 2 milk routes, and at the same time they built a service and repair shop known as “Spiegel & Sons Garage”. In 1946, Bruce was also a school bus driver using his own car to bring the children to the Cannonville school. When the country school closed, he then drove the larger school bus for Neillsville school district and continued for 37 years. He ran two trips per day logging 100 miles each day. In 1950, he bought the family farm and married the love of his life Teresa (Laufenberg) Spiegel. They were united in marriage at the Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Alma Center. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Bruce farmed along with other jobs, including working his land, caring for his animals, and digging ditches with his Insley crane.

He loved music and his violin. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was always proud of his family.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife Teresa and 8 of his 10 children. Bernard (Judy deceased in 2020) Spiegel of Stoughton, David (deceased in 2009) (Mary) Spiegel of Milwaukee.

Bruce A. Spiegel of Salt Lake City, UT, John (Pauline) Spiegel of Jim Falls, Mary Ann Spiegel (deceased 1974), Joe Spiegel, Chippewa Falls, Diane (Peter) Minneci – Crossville, TN, Marilyn (John) Oertel – Auburndale, Lynette (Tom) VanDehey – Loretto, MN, Lorie (Brad) Knaack – Colfax, 27 Grandchildren and 14 great-Grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Alfred and Helga, brothers Edgar (Betty), Alfred and Robert (Florence) and nephew Jim Spiegel.

A Mass of Christian burial for Bruce will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021 at St Mary’s Catholic church in Neillsville, Wisconsin. The Celebrant will be Fr. Greg Michaud and Deacon, son-in-law, Peer Minneci. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday at the Catholic Church. Interment will be in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Neillsville, with military honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

The family would like to thank the staff at the House of the Dove for the loving care they provided to our Dad.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Bruce’s family with Funeral arrangements.

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