Bruce Barrett

Bruce Barrett, 87, of Eustis, NE, died June 8, 2024 at his home in Eustis, NE.  

He was born March 18, 1937 in Orafino, NE, son of H.Truman and Ruth E.(Heater) Barrett.

Bruce went to country school and he and Kathy rode horses to school until the eighth grade. He then drove a Model A across their pasture to school. He started working on the farm and ranch at an early age and has always loved raising purebred Herefords and anything involving cattle. Bruce and his sisters were involved in 4-H, showing Hereford cattle. Bruce remained active in 4-H as a leader of Rolling Meadows 4-H club for many years. He went to high school in Eustis and participated in all sports with basketball being his favorite. He played on the basketball team at his junior college.

In 1958, he joined the Army National Guard and served for six years, receiving a medal for sharp shooting. Bruce married Loretta Adams on July 26, 1959. And to this union three children were born, Barbara Ann, Bryan Anthony and Barry Alan. They lived on the family homestead 15 miles south of Eustis and farmed and ranched and raised purebred Hereford cattle. The kids grew up helping with the work and also had a happy childhood. The kids thought dad was old and Bruce liked to draw pictures of Dinosaurs and tell his kids about hunting them before the crust of the earth cooled.

They lived there until 1978 when Bruce and Loretta bought a ranch in Montana. Moving the family, cattle, farm equipment and possessions was a challenge. They were thankful for all the friends that helped with the move. In 1980 they bought Gothenburg Livestock and moved back and ran it and the Arnold sale barn until 1990, when they sold them and went to work at Lexington Livestock until they retired. They moved back to Eustis and Bruce enjoyed going to the country and looking at cattle and talking to the cattlemen. He enjoyed going to coffee in the morning, loved classic cars, and owned several of them. Bruce and Loretta bought a motorcycle and then a tricycle and traveled to many states and Canada. Bruce was a member of the Global Methodist Church.

Survivors include wife, Loretta A. Barrett of Eustis, NE; daughter, Barbara (Rod) Wolf of Ogallala, NE; two sons, Bryan Barrett of Eugene, OR, Barry Barrett of Eustis, NE; three sisters, Kathleen (Richard) Miller of Cambridge, NE, Rosalie Joy of Eustis, NE, Gwen Carlisle of Colon, MI; grandchildren, Hannah Barrett, Halie Barrett, Ryan Wolf, Ashley (Don) Mulvey, great-grandchildren, Haylee Wolf, Landon Wolf, and Logan Mulvey. Brother and sister-in-law Neil and Lori Adams.

Bruce was preceded in death by parents, Harvey and Ruth E. Barrett, brother-in-laws, Wayne Joy, Loren Carlisle, father and mother-in-law Ralph and Lola Adams, nephew, Kurt Miller.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, June 13, 2024, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm with family present from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Services will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, 10:30 am, at Eustis Methodist Church with Pastor Elmo Herman officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Eustis West Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Eustis West Cemetery or the Eustis Fire Rescue Department, or the Eustis Senior Center.