Mary Lynn Bruce

Mary Lynn Bruce, age 84, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Larry Regynski officiating. Burial is in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Monday, August 5 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary at 6:45 PM followed by a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are Michael Bruce, David Bruce, Adam Bruce, Tyler Hoebelheinrich, Ian Bruder and Henry Spotted Wood. Honorary pallbearers are Stacey Swenson, Amy, Julie, Nicholas, Alice and Evelyn Bruce. Mary Lynn was born June 23, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert and Mary Lea Vene (Coleman) Moss. They family moved to Fremont, Nebraska and Mary Lynn graduated from Archbishop Bergan Catholic School. She then attended a year of college in Chicago. On February 16, 1957, Mary Lynn married John Bruce. After their marriage, they lived in Fremont, Kearney and Falls City, Nebraska and then moved to Yankton in 1964. After her children were grown, Mary Lynn went back to college and graduated from Mount Marty College in Yankton with a Liberal Arts Degree in 1991. She taught art therapy and also literacy to those in need at most of the grade schools in Yankton. Her husband, John, passed away unexpectedly on November 4, 2007 and Mary Lynn spent the last eight years at Autumn Winds Assisted Living. She was a long time member of the League of Women Voters and Connecting Artists. She loved doings arts and crafts and was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed parades and the Arts Festival at Riverboat Days. Mary Lynn also enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Most of all, she loved all the family gatherings, especially around the holidays. Mary Lynn is survived by five children: Paula Anne Bruce of Omaha, NE, Mary Lea Chute of Yankton, Michael (Laurie) Bruce of Des Moines, IA, Kathleen Bruder of Beresford, SD and Patricia Vavra of Yankton; six grandchildren: David (Amy) Bruce, Stacey Swenson, Adam (Julie) Bruce, Tyler Hoebelheinrich, Ian Bruder and Henry Spotted Wood; three great grandchildren: Nicholas, Alice and Evelyn Bruce; one sister, Carol Anne (Paul) Fleury of Albuquerque, NM; and several nieces and nephews. Mary Lynn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; sister, Judy Lea Spencer; and brother-in-law, Wally Spencer. The family would like to thank Autumn Winds for all of their care and love these past years.