Stella M. Bruce

Stella Eisenbeis Bruce passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026. Stella was born on April 7, 1948, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Warren and Mary Eisenbeis. Stella graduated from Valle High School in 1966 and later moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1971, where she began a banking career that spanned more than thirty years. Stella worked at Workingmen’s Federal Savings, Old National, and People’s State Bank, retiring in 2013. Additionally, Stella was a longtime parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Stella married Howard L. Bruce in 1993, becoming a beloved member of the Bruce family. Over the years, the family grew to include three adult children and their spouses, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Stella cherished her role as “Nana” and delighted in spending time with each of her grandchildren. Together Stella and Howard shared a love of the outdoors, spending many happy days camping, canoeing, fishing (including memorable trips to Canada). Stella and Howard also enjoyed taking rides in their 1960 MGA and spending time with their friends from their car club. In her earlier years, Stella enjoyed downhill skiing and was an active member in a local ski club. However, Stella’s favorite pastime was working in her beautiful garden. She took great joy in creating vibrant flower beds and raising Monarch butterflies. In recent years, Stella found comfort and companionship among her many friends, especially those in the Peppergrass community, whose support meant so much to her after the loss of Howard. Stella is survived by her three children: Doug Bruce (Shelly), Matt Bruce (Kelly), Leigh Walls (Jason); and eight grandchildren: Evan Bruce, Lily Landry (Christian), Grady Bruce, Haley Bruce, Hannah Wheat (Cory), Mason Bruce (Gracie), Daniel Walls (Amanda), Claire Walls (fiancé Vince); and four great-grandchildren, with one more on the way this summer. She is further survived by her siblings: Marilyn Dallas (Dick), Carol Schmidt (Bob), Kathy Armbruster (Dave), Dwight Eisenbeis (Sandy), Robert Eisenbeis (Kim), and several nieces and nephews. Stella is preceded in death by her late husband, Howard Bruce, and her parents. Funeral services for Stella will be held on Monday, May 11, with public visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral at 1:00 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Cemetery services will take place immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Gifts to the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools to support educational enrichment and conservation of butterflies. Gifts can be mailed to FMCCS at 315 North Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401 or made online at mccsfoundation.org.

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Stella M. Bruce

April 7, 1948 - April 24, 2026