Gene Bruce Sr., age 82, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at his home.

Gene Albert Bruce Sr. was born on November 4, 1938 at home in Rolette County, ND to Robert and Ann (Pettie) Bruce.  He attended school at Wahpeton, ND and at Flandreau, SD.  Gene also furthered his education for a short time at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.  Gene was united in marriage to Velma LaVallie on May 29, 1960 and together they had seven children, Russell, Allen, Roderick Sr., Sheila, Ramona, Gene Jr., and Alberta.  They later divorced.  He then married Barbara Ducept-Thomas in 1994 and together they had a son, Reene.  Gene worked in road construction for a time and then as a teacher aide in special education for the Ojibwa Indian School in Belcourt.  He loved time spent with his family members and friends telling stories and joking around, as he had a wonderful sense of humor.  He also enjoyed being outdoors, especially going hunting.  Gene will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.

Gene is survived by his wife, Barbara Bruce of Belcourt; children, Russell (Patsy Gourneau) of Belcourt, Allen (Bonnie Hubrig) of Tyler, MN, Roderick (Dixie) Sr. of Belcourt, Sheila (Melvin) Nadeau of Belcourt, Ramona (Chris) Greene of Moorhead, MN, Gene Jr. (Stephanie Allery) of Rolla, Alberta (Jesse) Short of Belcourt, and Reene (Jill) of Dunseith; grandchildren, Marie, James, Jackie, Jeffrey, Suzanne, Allen Jr., Toni, Roderick Jr., Ryan, Isaiah, Craig, Wrangler, Amber, Brittany, Kristine, Ariel, Melvin Jr., Jonathan, Jasmine, Mersadi, Trevor, Isaac, Dalton, Kobe, Kristen, Trenton, Keyarah, and Huxtynn; numerous great grandchildren; and siblings, Robert "Bob" of Belcourt, David (Elizabeth "Betty") of Belcourt, Roderick "Rodney" of Fargo, Pauline Bruce of Aberdeen, SD, Roger (Della) of St. John, and Dixie Bruce of Belcourt.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Lucille Bruce, and granddaughters, Lacy Nadeau and Jessa Short.

The Memorial Mass will take place at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.  A Memorial Mass will take place at 10:00 AM and a Rosary will be held at 9:00 AM.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.