Nancy Lee Bruce

Our beautiful Mother, Nancy Lee Bruce, 88, peacefully passed away November 15, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by family. 

Nancy was born January 8, 1937, the daughter of Viall and Goldie (Anderson) Smith.  She was born and raised in Escanaba, MI and graduated from Escanaba Area High School. 

On June 12, 1954, Nancy married the late Joseph D. Norden of Escanaba. Together they had two sons, Ricky J. And Michael A. Norden.

Divorced in 1962, Nancy married the late Kenneth Dale Bruce (died in 1980) on April 7, 1962.  They had five children. Nancy found the greatest joy raising her seven children and being a loving wife and homemaker. She enjoyed volunteering at her children’s schools, was involved in the PTO, became a Girl Scouts “Bluebird” Leader attended many sporting events for her kids, and assisted her husband Ken with the Cub Scouts Troop as well as many other things. Nancy loved square dancing with Ken, and they became members of the “Delta Merry Mixers” and traveled to weekend events all over Michigan and Wisconsin.  She loved sewing many of her dresses, petticoats and Ken’s matching shirts. Nancy also enjoyed her Ladies Group and their weekly “House Bingo” night.  The coffee pot was always full and fresh, and Nancy’s door was always open for her family and friends, regardless of the time of day or night.

Nancy’s husband Kenneth Dale, died at 43 years old, leaving her to raise her children.  She worked a variety of jobs, including being a childcare worker, salesclerk at Montgomery Wards and at Tommy’s lunch counter.

Nancy had a very special friend, the late Robert “Bob” Heath (died in 2008).  They traveled, driving to Las Vegas, and many Nascar races and she really loved “going to camp” to play cards, eat chili and sit by the fire visiting with Bob’s family Dave (Kim) and Charlie (Mary Beth) Heath, Helen Lokar (Larry Kidd) and all the kids.

Nancy loved being with her family and spent about five years traveling to California, New York, Florida, West Virginia and Wisconsin before she moved into Christian Park Village permanently in 2019.  She always said, “Raising my children and now having grandchildren and great grandchildren are “my golden years.”

Nancy is survived by two daughters, Kelly (Tim) Smith, Cornell,  Lauri Kausak, Wilmington, NC;  Sons Rick (Joan Forsberg) and Michael Norden Escanaba, Jamie (Tracy Caron), Escanaba, Brian (Christine Mileski) Red House, WV and Daughter-in-law Tifiny (Hirn) Bruce (the late Timothy Bruce), Green Bay WI; grandchildren Jeremy Norden, Milwaukee, WI, Jesse (Shelly VanEffen) Norden, Henderson, NV, Jason (Carrie Lynaugh) Norden, Escanaba, Bethanie (Kevin) Roth, Minot, ND, Kenneth (Chelsie Begovac) Stephens, Wilson, Ryan (Nicole) Stephens, Green Bay, WI, Ashley Stephens, Minot, ND, Amanda (Darnell Levy) Wilmington, NC, Jessica (Darius) Jenkins, Raleigh, NC, Andrew (Rachel) Kausak, DePere, WI, Jami (Michael) Sharrow, Maryville, TN, Nicole (Lauren) Marshall, Rapid River, MI, Brittany (Dane) Casperson, Allendale, MI, Carly (Tyler) Harvey, Red House, WV, Brian Bruce, Keyser, WV, Samantha (Tyler) DeVore, Howard, WI, Zachary (Alyssa) Bruce, Suamico, WI, Aiden Bruce, Green Bay, WI; great-grandchildren Jaylen, Julia and Nathan Norden, Anthony, Ethan and Hayley Norden, Isabella, Adria, Trenton and Elise Norden, Nathan Mastrony, Jacob and Madelyn Roth, Raquelle  Begovac, Logan and Brynlei Stephens, Bayli Short, Landon and McKenna Kausak, Jameson and Leila Sharrow, Raegan & Nolan Casperson, Navy Marshall, Luthen Harvey, Bryson, Cole, Scarlette, Maverick and Holland DeVore, Wesley Bruce; great-great grandchildren Audrielle Rose Norden and Ace Begovac; Aunt Elaine Chappala, Escanaba, MI; Sister-in-law Nancy L Smith, Gladstone, MI; roommate and wonderful friend Thelma (Sam) Marcotte, Escanaba, MI, and many more family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth Dale (1980) and her youngest son Timothy James in Oct. of 2023.  She is also preceded by her two brothers Jack and James Smith, sister-in-law Marcine Smith, two special friends Joe (Uncle/Grampa Joe) Norden (ex-husband) and Bob Heath and “besties” Mary Jane Buzzo and Lois Martinson.

Family and Friends may call at Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba on Saturday, January 10, 2026, between 1:00 – 3:30 pm.  There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 3:30 pm.  Refreshments will be served during the visitation period.  There will be no burial service.

Arrangements are in the care of Andersen Funeral Home of Escanaba.

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