Bruce Funeral Home

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Gardner, KS
Bruce Funeral Home

Family owned and operated There are not many businesses that get to claim their 132nd anniversary. The first undertaker in Spring Hill was W.H. His son, W.H. P.O.

Bruce Funeral Home has been serving Gardner, Edgerton, Spring Hill, DeSoto, and other surrounding areas for over 60 years. The Bruce Funeral Home has been recognized as the oldest continuously owned business established in Johnson County. Rutter, who in 1884 also had a furniture store. Rutter continued in the business until he sold the furniture and undertaking business to Eli Davis and his son, Ralph. They later sold to Paul O. C***s, who served as the secretary of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association for many years. C***s then sold the business to Lloyd H. Wilcox who in turn sold it to Roy Bruce. The chapel in Spring Hill was remodeled in the mid-90's, both the exterior and interior areas. Property for a new location at Webster & 217th was purchased in 2002. The downtown chapel was sold in 2003 and the new chapel was opened in 2005. In 1957, Roy Bruce bought a historic brick home. Built in 1895, the large house was home to the founder and president of the Farmers Bank, F.W. Sponable. In 1962, the Bruce Funeral Home was built by adding a large chapel, family room, music room and second chapel on the main floor, and an apartment upstairs. In 2002 the front porch was completely rebuilt. The year of 2008 also marked the 123rd anniversary of the first furniture store and undertaking business in Gardner. The first business in Gardner was started in 1885, by Peter J. Murphy. In 1914, President Wilson appointed Murphy postmaster. The business was sold to J.W. Stanley of Blue Springs, Missouri. Fire destroyed several downtown buildings that winter, and Stanley's daughter Grace and her husband Harry Patteson, took over the business and ran it until his death in 1949. That year Roy and Betty Bruce purchased the funeral home from Grace Patteson. The Bruce family continues to own and operate the business. Roy Bruce passed away in 1993. Betty, a licensed funeral director, continued an active role in the business until she passed away in 1999. Roy and Betty's daughter, Shirley, currently serves as president. Shirley had the privilege of being the first woman to serve as the president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association during the 1994-1995 term.

10/30/2026

Saying Goodbye to Your Pet.. What one woman experienced saying goodbye to her golden retriever Katie.

Accepting the death of a pet is never easy. Here are suggestions for working through this difficult time as a pet owner.

10/28/2026

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
- Buddha

10/26/2026

10/22/2026

There are approximately 70 decisions that have to be made in the first 24 hours of one's passing. Planning ahead for a funeral, even just part of it, makes it far easier on loved ones. Contact us for more details on planning ahead.

10/20/2026

What change do you wish to see?

10/17/2026

There are no goodbyes, where ever you'll be, you'll be in my heart.
- Gandhi

10/16/2026

Helping children understand pet loss is made easier with this book.

is a moving book for children of all ages, even parents too. It lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals. A...

10/14/2026

Visit www.talkofalifetime.org for tips on getting your started today.

Address

106 South Center Street
Gardner, KS
66030

Website

http://brucefuneralhome.com/

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