Bruce J. Geffre

Bruce James Geffre, 67, of Leola, SD, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, Aberdeen, with Welton Maunu officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the mortuary. The family requests casual attire.

A time of fellowship and desserts will be shared following the service at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Private interment will be at Greenmound Cemetery, Leola, at a later date.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life honoring Bruce on Saturday, August 17, at 6:00 p.m. at 1242 Church St, Leola, SD. A meal will be served for dinner, please bring your own beverages and a lawn chair to enjoy an evening of celebrating Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or send to the family at PO Box 222, Leola, SD 57456, and they will donate to the local charities.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.

Bruce James Geffre was born to Marvin and Viola (Rieger) Geffre on June 12, 1957, in Leola, SD where he grew up on a farm NE of Leola with his five siblings, Linda, Lee, Glen, Dean and Dale. He attended country school through the fourth grade and then went to town school in Leola and graduated high school in 1975. Even though he left the farm after graduation the lessons and memories from the farm stayed with him forever. You can take the boy away from the farm, but you can’t take the farm away from the boy!

After graduation, Bruce worked for the Schweitzer Flax Processing Plant in North Dakota for two years. He returned to Leola and worked for area farmers until he started at the Leola Elevator where he worked for over 39 years as the grain manager and retired in 2019 due to ill health.

On May 30, 1981, Bruce was united in marriage to Ronda Bain in Leola, SD. Together they welcomed two children into the world: Natasha and Brandon.

In 2007, Bruce retired as Captain of the Leola Volunteer Fire Department after serving for 20 years. He was a member of the Leola Fire District at the time of his passing. In his earlier years, Bruce was also active as a Jaycee Member and trap shooting.

In his free time, Bruce loved deer hunting and all things fishing. It didn’t matter whether it was on the ice, a special spot at the Missouri River, or Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota; he was content with a fishing pole in his hand, making memories with his children and grandchildren! He was also very passionate about mowing and tending to a well-kept yard and Ronda’s flowers.

Bruce also loved driving the side roads, checking the crops and cows, playing cards, taking his grandchildren out for ice cream, attending his grandchildren’s school and ball activities, and creating lasting memories that his family will hold dear forever.

Grateful for having shared Bruce’s life are his wife of 43 years, Ronda Geffre; daughter, Natasha (Jerimiah) Radtke, and their children: Isaac, Lauren, Allison, and Logan; son, Brandon (Katlyn) Geffre and their son Brayden; four brothers: Lee, Glen, Dean (Robin) and Dale (Wendy) Geffre; one uncle, Ron Geffre; one goddaughter Brandi (Schumack) Sandland; mother-in-law Pat Trode; Brother-in-laws Jim Bain, David Bain, and John Bain; Sister-in-law Brenda (Darrin) Dykstra and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Viola; sister, Linda (Steve) Riffle; grandparents George and Lucille (Lapka) Geffre and John and Martha (Kulm) Rieger; Father-in-law Duane Bain and Step Father-in-law Ted Trode; and Nephew, Tyler Bain.

Most of us never know when our time on earth will end, but on July 27th, Bruce was given the news that he had only days left to live. He chose to return to Leola and spend his last days saying goodbye to his family and friends. Home Hospice provided wonderful care for Bruce to give him and his family that time. To all the friends and family that came and visited, called or texted memories of their times together with Bruce, it gave us comfort and support – thank you. Our family has been so blessed by all. ~ The Geffre Family