Bruce Stanley Zethraus went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral service celebrating Bruce’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 20, 2018 at Ingram Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Goodson officiating, burial with military honors will follow at Lakeside Memorial Park. Bruce was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 7, 1947, to Stanley and Althea (Isaacs) Zethraus.
The family moved around a few times during his childhood; from Minnesota to Iowa to California and back to Iowa. While in California he loved to explore the hills behind his house, looking for caves and snakes. He spent many summers in Minnesota fishing and camping with his family in the western states.
But Bruce was happiest when he was building or fixing something; and he could fix anything. He built a clubhouse in the back yard, but it wasn’t just an ordinary clubhouse. It had a remote control door, a homemade radio and secret compartments.
And his bedroom was full of Erector Set motorized vehicles and buildings. His imagination was endless! He graduated from Boone High School in 1965 and attended United Electronics in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating with an Electronics Technician Degree in 1967.
He was hired by General Dynamics and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, working on the Cobra helicopter. Drafted in 1968, he proudly served his country in the 101st Airborne Division of the Army in the Vietnam Conflict. He returned to General Dynamics, trouble shooting the electronic flight control system on the F-111 aircraft.
In 1971 he started a 22-year career with Mobil Oil, traveling extensively as a seismic field leader and trainer. It was at this time that he bought a house in Carrolton, Texas, continually adding and remodeling, making it into a beautiful home. Hidden behind a bookcase was a ladder leading up to a secret room, complete with bed, TV and air conditioner.
His nephews and niece loved hanging out there. It was also at this time that Bruce met Dean Vaughan, his life partner for 24 years. Bruce was blessed with the love of Dean, many good friends, and Dean’s family who lived close by.
In 1990 he was assigned to the Mobil Exploratory Ship and sailed all over the world. He retired in 1993 with lots of memories and wonderful stories of his adventures. Bruce and Dean moved to Quinlan in 2005 and they shared their house with many dogs and cats over the years.
Bruce spent many hours in his kitchen! And he could cook; famous for his lefse, Swedish potato sausage, chocolate chip cookies, smoked meat and his scalloped potatoes and ham that he was so proud of. Many have enjoyed his delicious dinners and it gave him such pleasure to feed us over the years.
Dean and Bruce took great pride in their many flowers and garden. Bruce loved the holidays and would spend days decorating his house and yard. In his later years, Bruce’s greatest pleasure was relaxing in his recliner with Buddy and Missy cuddling in his lap!
On July 11, 2018, Bruce left this world while holding on to the hand of his dear friend, Anthony, and surrounded by his loved ones. We witnessed his smiling face as he took his last breath! He is survived by his sister, Jilayne and Bruce Paley, Platteville, Wisconsin; nephews Jim and Jennie Paley, Platteville, Wisconsin and Chad and Lisa Paley, McFarland, Wisconsin; niece Lisa and David Banting, Waukesha, Wisconsin; his brother and sister-in-laws, Anthony and Jayne Vaughan, Elizabeth and Jimmy Cummings, Quinlan, Texas; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and life partner, Dean Vaughan!
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