Bruce Kreitlow

Bruce Lee Kreitlow, 71, of Clarion passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion. At the time of his passing his family was at his side.

Mass of Christian Burial for Bruce Kreitlow will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue Northeast in Clarion, with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a scriptural wake beginning at 4:30 PM, on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Bruce Lee, son of Warren E. and Dorothy L. (Wason) Kreitlow, was born on November 20, 1949 in Belmond. Bruce grew up on a farm near Clarion and attended a one room school house in rural Clarion until sixth grade. He graduated from Clarion High School in 1967. Bruce entered the Army in 1969, where he did one tour of duty in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970 from active duty, but remained a part of the Iowa National Guard for another 15 years. After leaving the National Guard he was a member of American Legion Post 523 for the remainder of his life.

On October 16, 1971, Bruce was united in marriage to Jennifer Denger in Cedar Falls. Bruce worked at the Chevy garage in Clarion while Jennifer finished her last year of college. He then went on to work at the state shed in Williams, where the couple made their first home together. After 6 years in Williams, the couple moved to Clarion where Bruce started driving truck for Ennis Truck Lines and later started Kreitlow Trucking. Bruce loved trucking and traveled many miles throughout the 48 states. He was a walking roadmap and rarely used a GPS.

Bruce loved having a cup of coffee at Casey’s with the guys and playing card games with friends and family. He loved to tinker with engines and cars and wouldn't hesitate to stop and help anyone who might be broke down and in need of assistance. He enjoyed watching sports - especially that week's NASCAR race, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Hawkeyes. His biggest love for sports though, was watching anything his grandkids were participating in. During the winter he enjoyed being outside snowmobiling and he loved to go fishing anytime of the year.

Bruce is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years Jennifer of Clarion; son Todd (Gloria) of North Carolina; daughter Rebecca (Aaron) Lewis of Algona; six grandchildren Kylie Kreitlow, Tanner Kreitlow, Tyler Kreitlow, Cole Lewis, Sydney Lewis, and Chase Lewis; sister Iris (Ralph) Nickelson of Wisconsin; mother-in-law Wyona Denger; and many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Warren and Dorothy; brother Wayne; sister Carrie; nephew Wade; father-in-law Faye and grandson Will.