Ralph Bruck

Harlan - Ralph Walter Bruck was born on February 28, 1952 to Anthony “Tony”and Mary (Bissen) Bruck on their farm near Earling, Iowa. Ralph was the ninth of Tony and Mary’s ten children. Five boys and five girls, an even split. Ralph attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling and graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1971. After a short stint in the Iowa National Guard, Ralph started his lifelong occupation of farming, crops and livestock.
At Bob and Lori Mages’ wedding dance he met the love of his life, Joan Reinig. They were united in marriage on November 6, 1976 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. They lived on the farm near Earling for years until a house fire displaced them. Shortly after, they moved to Portsmouth to the farm where Joan was raised. In 2009, Ralph had his mitral valve repaired. In 2010, he moved to Harlan. After having his mitral valve replaced on December 30, 2011, he retired from farming.
Ralph enjoyed playing cards, socializing, and teasing people. He loved raising cattle and hogs and had many good dogs in his lifetime. The last being “Puff”, his faithful companion, a black and white  Japanese Chin.
Ralph passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of 72 years, 8 months, and 13 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Mary; siblings, Irma Tearney, Lucille Ausdemore, Marlene Brich Arrick, Walter Bruck, Melvin Bruck, and Duane Bruck; and brothers-in-law, Al Tearney, Harry Ausdemore, Francis Brich and Joe Wellman.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Bruck of Harlan, IA; siblings, Delbert (Yvonne) Bruck of Harlan, IA, Marian Wellman of Neola, IA, Sylvia (Dennis) Gaul of Westphalia, IA; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Bruck of Dow City, IA, Marilea Bruck of Earling, IA, Alice Bruck Willert of Rochester, MN; nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
An 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial was officiated by Rev. Clement Owusu at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Matt Bruck, Kent Bruck. Bob Bruck, Ken Gaul, David Ausdemore, Craig Brich. Jeff Bruck, Danielle Ausdemore, and Bryan Bruck served as honorary pall bearers. A burial will be held at a later date at Harlan Cemetery in Harlan. Iowa.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.