Nancy Bruss

Nancy Carol Bruss, 78, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully, the morning of February 13th, 2025.

Nancy was born in Eau Claire on December 16th, 1946, to Robert R. and Ruth E. (Lien) Hagman. She grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School in 1965. And, although they graduated together, it wasn't until years later she would bump into her husband Gordy Bruss. They were married on December 1st, 1972, and spent over 50 years together before the effects of Alzheimer's started challenging Nancy.

Nancy loved cars, working to save for her own corvette when she was just 25 years old. But it was the time she spent with Gordy that really expanded her love of old cars, and traveling around the country to car shows (and swap meets). One of Nancy's final trips was in June of 2014 when, along with nine other old cars (Thoze Ol' Guys Tour), she drove a 1948 Wood Station Wagon across country to the L.A. Roadster show, making stops at the Good Guys in Loveland, CO, as well as National Parks, and the shops of "car buddies" all the way to California. Nancy was not scared to jump in a vehicle and take off to anywhere in the country. Whether she was going to find or pick up parts for her and Gordy's latest project, or to visit or help with her grand-babies (the furry ones included), she was always in a hurry and on the move. She will be missed by a very large "old car" community. She was a sweet, caring soul that always put everyone else's needs in front of her own.

Nancy worked at Uniroyal for many years, until the time the plant shut down in 1992. It was then that she went back to CVTC and got her degree in Sales & Marketing. She worked with Con-Agra for a while, as well as holding licenses as a real estate agent and car dealer. Through her endeavors she met a lot of people and made many life-long friends.

Nancy is survived by her spouse of 52 years, Gordon K. Bruss, children Curt (Pamela) Bruss of New Orleans, LA, Kimberly (Ryan) Higley of Galesville, WI, Kris (Anthony) Anderson of Eau Claire, WI and Kari (Dale) Eslinger of Las Vegas, NV. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Justin (Fatima Mohammad) Bruss of Pickering, ON, CA, Logan (Amber) Bruss of Rochester, NH, Karly Bruss of Denver, CO, Elise Higley (Blake Evanson) of Galesville, WI, Kira Higley (Maxx Kiedrowski) of Centerville, WI, Alyvia Eslinger (Alec Phelps) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Alexis (Drew) Eslinger of Las Vegas, NV and Ashlynd Eslinger of Las Vegas, NV. Nancy was also blessed with one great-grandchild, Theo Bruss of Pickering, ON, CA. She is also survived by her siblings Robert "Bert" (Ruth) Hagman, Barbara Insteness, Kathy Arneson and Henry Hagman, as well as many nieces, nephews, lifelong close friend Carolyn Bugher as well as many other family and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Robert R. and Ruth E. Hagman, father and mother-in-law, Kenneth W. and Ione E. Bruss, her sisters Jean Leskinen and JoAnne Heuer, a niece Dana Heuer and nephew Michael Hagman.

Nancy's family would like to give an extra special thank you to Jane Schlageter (Caring Hearts Home Care) and her entire family for the wonderful care they gave Nancy for the last eighteen months. You made her part of the family, and it was wonderful to still see her so happy. We would also like to thank everyone from St. Croix Hospice for the care they gave Nancy during her final days with us.

The family will be planning a celebration of life for later this Spring - details will be posted on Facebook.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.