Bruce Gilbert Rhoades

Bruce Rhoades was born in Yuma, Colorado on May 20, 1954 to Raymond and Margaret Rhoades. He passed away on January 9, 2019 in Greeley, Colorado.  He attended school at Lone Star graduating in 1972.  He then went on to attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado.  In 1974 he graduated with an agricultural mechanic's degree.  His first employment was at Seedorf Motor Implement.  In 1991 he started working for L & L Implement.  He became a well known service technician in both Yuma and Washington counties.  In 2015 he retired from 21st Century.

Bruce was raised on the family farm in the Lone Star Community where he learned the value of hard work.  A value he would take with him through his life.

He was baptized in 1954 and confirmed in 1968 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado.

On August 7, 1976 he married Donna Hein and to this union three children were born, Shad in 1980, Alissa in 1982 and Joel in 1991.  Bruce was a simple, quiet man with a strong faith.  He enjoyed getting together with his family to celebrate holidays, birthdays and special occasions.  He especially enjoyed celebrating birthdays with his great nieces and nephews.

Bruce learned at an early age how to drive a tractor helping his dad farm the ground for many years.  During summer harvest he took his son, Shad to the family farm as a young boy and taught him how to drive the combine. 

He was an avid Yuma Indians fan.  Many happy memories were made travelling many miles in sun, rain, snow and ice over the mountains and through the plains to watch his son Joel’s sporting events.

In his last few years he enjoyed the road trips to the Carolina beaches to visit his daughter, Alissa.  He spent time walking on the beaches and listening to the ocean waves wash up.  Bruce dearly loved his grandson, Donovan who was a special part of his life.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Margaret Rhoades; father-in-law, Donald Hein; grandson, Donovan Rhoades and brother-in-law, Robert Seedorf.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Donna of forty-two years; son, Shad Rhoades of Fort Collins, Colorado; daughter, Alissa Rhoades of Fort Collins, Colorado; son, Joel Rhoades of Denver, Colorado; sister, Linda Seedorf of Yuma, Colorado; brother Marlin (Cheryl) Rhoades of Columbus, Montana; mother-in-law, Eileen Hein; sister-in-law, Janette (Tim) Morgan; brothers-in-law, Ken (Vicki) Hein; Monte (Sherrie) Hein;  nieces and nephews, Aaron (Kate) Seedorf, children Clara and Anna; Julie (Drew) Holm children Barrett and Bode; Heidi Bittler and son Zeek; Heather (Ben) Hendrix and children Kate and Ted; Forrest Netz; Cortney Rhoades; Taura (Brad) McClanahan; Ryan (Jennifer) Morgan; Richard Guebara (Mayra Pierce) and son Thiago; Madelynn Hein along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and a special family friend Janie Wilson-Lessman. 

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado with Reverend Dennis FitzPatrick officiating.  Burial followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Funeral Arrangements were made by Baucke Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to Children's Hospital or Ronald McDonald House both of Aurora, Colorado. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce Gilbert Rhoades, please visit our floral store.