Memorial
Bruce D. Fenchel, 83, of 3340 Windhaven Lane, died at home on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids by the Rev. Thomas E.S. Miller. Private Burial: Strawberry Point Cemetery, Strawberry Point. A visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 10 a.m. Thursday. Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 21 years, Jean; sons Bruce Fenchel (Tammy Soule) of Gulfport, Mississippi and Steven (Beth) Fenchel of Traverse City, Michigan; grandchildren Jennifer Fenchel at Central Michigan University, Emily Fenchel, Jacob Fenchel, and Natalie Fenchel, all of Traverse City, Michigan, and Leiden Cervantes and Franklin Hornbuckle of Iowa City; stepdaughter Keri (Mike Cervantes) Hornbuckle of Iowa City; stepson Gavin Hornbuckle of Phoenix, Arizona; brother Fred (Ila Mae) Fenchel of Mason City; sisters-in-law Agnes Fenchel and Phyllis Fenchel of Strawberry Point; and many beloved nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers George and Bernard; and sister Trudy Westin.
Bruce was born on March 11, 1925 to Fred and Gertrude Pilgrim Fenchel in Strawberry Point. He was drafted into the US Army when he was 18 and served as a Sherman tank driver in General Patton's 4th Battalion D Company. On April 4, 1945 his unit liberated the Nazi Prison Camp at Ohrdruf, Germany. For many years he suffered the memories of those terrible years but in 2002 he began the first of several visits to former warzones of Europe and began to heal and find closure.
After the war, Bruce returned to Iowa and completed his undergraduate and dental education at the University of Iowa. He served as a family dentist in Manning, Iowa and in Cedar Rapids. Bruce enjoyed participating in the local, state, and national dental associations very much and remained active in the professional societies throughout his life.
Bruce was a member of Rotary and also the Grand Lodge of Iowa (Masons) in Manning and Cedar Rapids for over 50 years. He loved his community and was dedicated to his patients, his friends, and family.
Bruce loved spending time outdoors with his family. He raised his two sons on land where they raised goats, sheep, horses, and dogs, as well as hunting rabbits and deer. They built their own lake with a dock and later a cabin. Many joyful days were spent working at the lake and fishing with grandkids and friends.
Most important to Bruce were his wife, sons, and grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.
We love you Bruce. You will be greatly missed.
Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the American Heart Association..