Joseph Bruce Bosworth, known as Bruce, was born March 22, 1933, to Joseph and Gladys Bosworth. He was one of five children: Allen, (Marlene); Janet “Mitzie” Fronke (Curt); twin brothers, Robert (Janet) and Richard (Rose) Bosworth.
Bruce grew up on the family farm in Plankinton, South Dakota. He attended country school and graduated from Plankinton High School. He then attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, South Dakota.
He married the love of his life, Waneta Houska on June 12, 1955. He began his military obligation at Fort Carson, then Fort Benning, and finally Fort Riley. He completed 8 years of National Guards in North Dakota. He obtained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During this time, he was offered a position with the R.E.A. in his hometown of Plankinton, South Dakota. He moved his family to various locations with R.E.A. including Anchorage, Alaska, Linton, North Dakota, Jefferson, Iowa, then to Estherville, Iowa, and finally settled in their retirement home in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
His last 25 years of his 40 years with the R.E.C, Bruce served as General Manager until his retirement in 1995. In 1985, Bruce led the charge on state and national boards with his expertise in consolidating and merging Rural Electric systems.
Bruce served and chaired local and civic organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and the Economic Development. Bruce was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church along with raising and being actively involved with his family of 4 children.
In retirement, they enjoyed their winter months in Arkansas and Arizona. Bruce enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing at the Missouri River. They enjoyed their travels to Europe and Hawaii with family members.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Waneta, of 68 years. 4 children – Kelly (Mary); Tamra (Greg) Fries, Jodi (Lance) Edlin, and Brett (Sue) Bosworth. Bruce was blessed with 9 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers – Allen and wife, Marlene; and his brother, Richard and his wife, Rose.
A small celebration of life was held at Edgewater Retirment Community on Saturday, December 16. You can visit the website of caldwellparrish.com.
