Bruce Palmer

In 1973, the band Lynyrd Skynyrd released “Simple Man,” about a mother telling her son that the secret to a good life is to follow his heart, to be filled with love and to be satisfied with a quiet, peaceful existence. Few men exemplified the message of this song better than Bruce Wayne Palmer, who passed away on January 12, 2022.

The only rewards Bruce desired were those earned through hard work, loyalty and perseverance. He put in his time at work, then left those responsibilities behind to focus on loving his family, which extended beyond blood relatives.

Bruce loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He enjoyed movies and auto racing while downing a Busch Light or two, and reminiscing about the many classic cars he owned in his youth. He had a heart for teaching others the important skills needed in life, whether it was how to throw a ball, drive a manual transmission or mow in straight lines.

When troubles fell upon him, Bruce leaned on his faith and his own resilience to weather the storm. When tragedy struck his family and friends, he helped anyway he could.

Born July 19, 1951 to Carolyn and Dwight Palmer, Bruce lived nearly all of his life in Des Moines and Ankeny. He graduated from Des Moines North High School in 1969. He spent the next 50 years providing for his family anyway he could, whether as a security guard, a truck driver or welder. Even at the age of 70, he worked full-time at the Ankeny Menards right up until the day he experienced the first symptoms of Covid-19.

Family members who will forever miss Bruce include: his wife of 15 years, Kennett; sisters Carla Jo Wilkinson and Patricia (Dave) Bruneau; his four children, Melissa (Mark) Bennett, Joel (Lorraine) Palmer, Shane (Anna) Palmer, and Kendra Palmer; his stepsons Branden (Myndee) Nelsen; Whitney (Tanya) Nelsen; and Jesse (McKenzie) Hanke; 22 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his second wife of 32 years, Tracie.

Bruce never grew discontent with his simple life, an attitude he imparted to all those fortunate enough to know him. Because of his exemplary life, Bruce was able to leave this world as we all should, with no regrets and no bitterness, and with countless loved ones cherishing the time they had with him.

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