Frona Bruce

1949 - 2022

Frona Bruce (Uptegrove), 73, of Warrensburg, died Friday August 5 at The Manor in Warrensburg, Mo. A celebration of life will be held in an Open House format from 3-6 p.m. Monday August 15 at Heroes Restaurant in Warrensburg, Mo.
Frona was born April 13, 1949 in Gravois Mills, Mo. the daughter of Harold and Rose (Fletcher) Uptegrove.
She was united in marriage to Harold Hunter of Warrensburg in 1963 and gave birth to Rondal Hunter in 1965. Harold met Richard Bruce in Vietnam and the two became close friends. When Harold passed Richard visited Frona in Gravois Mills. The two were wed on Sept. 8, 1969 in Columbus, Ga.
Richard, Frona, and their three children were baptized and attended Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Frona loved telling stories of her childhood traveling across the western states so her father could build bridges and then later driving her Karmin Ghia over the Ozark hills.
There wasn't anything Frona couldn't do in her years as a homemaker whether it was sewing curtains, converting a van for a family trip, taxidermy, completing cosmetology school, getting her real estate license, or building a Koi pond. She had several jobs over the years to help support the family including working as a waitress at Walker's cafe, office manager in her brother's lumber yard, and a quality inspector at Stahl Specialty. Her favorite role was owning and operating L.A. Tan and Corner Book Exchange simultaneously.
Frona enjoyed cooking for and hosting family and friends at her home in Warrensburg; spending time with all of her grandchildren including tubing at the lake, babysitting and swimming; watching birds in her backyard; and tending to her Koi pond. Later in life she enjoyed spending time with her girlfriends at the WD-40 club and the Warrensburg Senior Center.
Frona is survived by one daughter, Rafael Maxson of Warrensburg; two sons, Rondal Hunter and wife Laura of Warrensburg; and Richard Bruce II of Warrensburg, Mo.; one brother, Kent Uptegrove and wife Jane of Stover, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Eric Goodman and wife Stephanie, Mason and Cole Hunter, Allison, Madison, and Collin Bruce; five great-grandchildren including Alexis Mitchell, Jaiden and Ethan Goodman, Zachary and Emily Ikerd; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Harold Lee and Larry; and son-in-law Tris Maxson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Warrensburg Senior Center.