Bruce James Reichmuth

Bruce James Reichmuth was a man of remarkable dedication whose life was defined by the many roles he embraced: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, godfather, friend, Knight, president, coach, gardener, pilot, and faithful servant. In every capacity, he was outstanding.
Bruce was born on May 12, 1950, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Alvin G. and Donnette M. (Urban) Reichmuth. He grew up on a farm and attended St. Francis Catholic Schools in Humphrey, Nebraska, graduating in 1968. Bruce continued his education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, earning a degree in Agricultural Engineering in December 1972.
On April 16, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Marie Chaulk, beginning a loving partnership that would last over five decades.
Following college graduation, Bruce began his professional career with Johnson Well Screen UOP as a technical sales representative. He worked first out of Minneapolis and then Denver, Colorado, selling water well products to drillers and municipalities across a five-state region.
In 1976, he and Pat moved to Garden City, Kansas, to join Henkle Drilling. Bruce remained with the company, even after its sale to Hydro Resources of Houston, TX, serving as an area sales representative and manager until his retirement in 2020. Throughout his years in the water well industry, Bruce served on the Kansas Groundwater Association board of directors, including a term as president in 2014-2015, and was a dedicated member of the National Groundwater Association.
Bruce's profound love for his Catholic faith and his deep servant heart led to his active participation and leadership within the church and community.
He was devoted to the Knights of Columbus, organizing the annual Tootsie Roll drive for many years, helping plan the Patriotic Rosary, and serving as Grand Knight in 1985 and District Deputy from 2021 to 2024. Though he never sought recognition, he was honored with the accolades of Knight of the Year and Family of the Year more than once. At St. Dominic's Catholic Church, his service continued as a frequent lector, Eucharistic minister, sacristan, and rosary leader. Most recently, he found joy in personally calling the "Prize a Day" recipients for a school fundraiser.
Motivated by his commitment to his children and the desire for quality education for all, Bruce successfully ran for the local School Board. He went on to dedicate twelve impactful years to making decisions that would benefit generations of students in the public school system.
Bruce's home with Pat was filled with love for their six children and later their beloved grandchildren: Crystal Reid Reichmuth, Zachary Strong, Rye Tiller, Kaitlyn Hardesty, Greer Tiller, Jencie Stocking, and Jorlee Stocking. Grandpa Bruce was a source of great fun and laughter, often convinced into trying anything once, from TikTok dances to climbing hunting tree stands to bike rides around town.
As a dedicated father, Bruce ensured his children's lives were filled with adventure and unique experiences. He built them a skating rink one Christmas, modifying it into a baseball field for endless games, and his summers were dedicated to family trips to Colorado, visiting the North Pole attraction and fishing for rainbow trout. Ever the engineer, he was ahead of his time, rigging up a TV/VCR combo in the big family van so the kids could watch movies during long travels. As a skilled pilot, he even treated the family to Sunday helicopter rides when the weather was nice.
Bruce also had a deep love for the outdoors, often spending time puttering in his garden. His green thumb brought him great enjoyment and kept his yard blooming.
While his family was his greatest love, Bruce also held a deep affection for sports and the Nebraska Huskers. After numerous years coaching tee ball and little league, he became a fixture in the bleachers, cheering on his children, grandchildren, and local students. His loyalty to the Scarlet and Cream was evident in the memorabilia that proudly filled his basement.
Bruce passed away peacefully in his home following a courageous 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was preceded in death by his son, Brady James, and his parents, Alvin and Donnette Reichmuth.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Chaulk) Reichmuth, and their children: Benjamin (Michele) Reichmuth of Republic, Missouri, Betsy (Dustin McMichael) of Garden City, Maggie (Bret) Tiller of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Robin (Blake) Stocking of Garden City, Frances (Doll) Reichmuth of Wichita, Kansas, and Blake (Julia Larsen) Reichmuth of Washington D.C. He is also survived by his siblings: Jane (Elmer) Wemhoff of Lincoln, Nebraska, Wanda (Allen) Wulf of Clarkson, Nebraska, Cheryl (Erv) Wemhoff of Lincoln, Nebraska, Joyce (David) Johnson of Creston, Iowa, Bryan (Lori) Reichmuth of Humphrey, Nebraska, and Brad (Aaron Handorff) Reichmuth of Chicago, Illinois.
A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City, with Funeral Mass following at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Ben Green as Celebrant. The Mass may also be viewed on Facebook Live on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Graveside Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus counsel #8491 or St. Catherine Hospice, both in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, Kansas 67846. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.