Pauline Regina Bruch

Pauline Bruch dies at age 102

Niobrara County's only centenarian, Pauline Regina Bruch, died Tuesday, July 19 at the age of 102. She was a resident of the Niobrara County Memorial Nursing Home since September 24, 1984.

Pauline was born near Carroll, IA. on October 5, 1885 and was the ninth of 12 children born to Anton and Bernadine Goedde Bruch. She recalled walking 1 ½ miles daily to a country school called Cedar Creek and remembered that drinking water from a well contained spiders, mice and frogs.

In 1893 her father moved the family to Antelope County, NE where he had purchased a section of land for $5 per acre. They farmed there for 11 years, moving to Sturgis, SD in 1906.

Pauline was employed for three years in the Meade, SD Register of Deeds office. Her employer was Max Hoehm, a soldier with Custer's troops. For some unknown reason, Hoehm was not required to accompany Custer when the Battle of the Little Big Horn took place and it proved to save his life, as all of the troops were destroyed.

Pauline's father located some land about 13 miles east of Lusk to provide homesteads for his children. Five of the Bruch children moved to the area, including Albert, Pauline, Elizabeth, Julia and Carl, to file on homesteads.

Throughout her life, Pauline was active in St. Leo's Catholic Church and St. Leo's Altar and Rosary Society. She spent many hours doing embroidery work, much of which was donated to the church. A gifted seamstress, she made all of her own clothes.

She was a charter member of the Divide Tumbleweed Extensions Club and held the position of treasurer for many years. She was also one of the early organizers of the "Legend of Rawhide". In addition to participating as a pioneer woman, she and her sister Elizabeth often spent days constructing the dummy representing Clyde Pickett.

Pauline was an excellent early day business woman and enjoyed managing her homestead and other holdings until entering the nursing home. She is survived by one brother, Carl of Lusk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thon Book No.6
July 19, 1988
Pauline Regina Bruch

Mass of Ressurrection was said Monday, July 25 for Pauline Regina Bruch, 102, of Lusk at St. Leo's Catholic Church with burial following in the Lusk Cemetery. Father Patrick O'Shea officiated.

Miss Bruch, Niobrara County's only centennariun, died Tuesday, July 19, 1988 at Niobrara County Memorial Nursing Home where she had been a resident since Sept. 24, 1984. She was born near Carroll, Iowa On October 5, 1885, the daughter of Anton and Bernadine Goedde Bruch and was the ninth child of a family of 12.

Pauline walked 11/2 miles to attend a country school called Cedar Creek. Drinking water obtained from a well, she later recalled, contained spiders, mice and frogs.

In 1893, her father moved the family to Antelope County, Nebraska where he had purchased a section of land for $5 an acre. They farmed the acreage for 11 years.

Pauline's mother visited Hot Springs, South Dakota and fell in love with the area. The family sold their property in Nebraska and moved to Sturgis, South Dakota in 1906.

Pauline was employed for three years in the Register of Deeds Office for Meade County, S.D. Her employer was Max Hoehm, a soldier with the Custer troops. For some unknown reason, Mr.Hoehm was not ordered to be with Custer's troops when the battle of Little Big Horn took place. Thus his life was spared as all of Custer's Troops were destroyed.

Pauline's father knew his children wanted to take up some homesteads. None was available near Sturgis, so he went to Wyoming to look around. He located some land about 13 miles east of Lusk. Five of the Bruch children, including Albert, Pauline, Elizabeth, Julia and Carl came to file on homesteads.

Throughout her life, Pauline was active in St. Leo's Catholic Church and St. Leo's Altar and Rosary Society. Many hours were spent doing embroidery work; much of which was donated to the church. She was a gifted seamstress and made all her own clothes. She sang in the choir for the first Mass held in the old Catholic Church of Lusk.

Pauline was a Charter Member of the Divide Tumbleweed Extension Club and held the position of treasurer for many years. She was one of the early organizers of the Legend of Rawhide. In addition to participating as a pioneer woman, she and her sister Elizabeth often spent days constructing the dummy representating Clyde Pickett.

Pauline was an excellent early day business woman and enjoyed managing her homestead and other holdings until entering the Niobrara County Memorial Nursing Home.

She is survived by one brother, Carl, of Lusk and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Rosary was said for her on Sunday, July 24 at Peet Mortuary Chapel, which was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial may be made to the Niobrara County Memorial Nursing Home, Lusk, Wy. 82225.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records