Bruce Wynne, 69 of Mitchell died at his home Saturday, July 17, 2010 after a courageous and determined battle with lung cancer for the last 3 years.  He was stubborn and bullheaded until the very end, which was completely true to his nature.   Funeral services were  held Wednesday July 21, 2010 at Gering Memorial Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Boston officiating. Burial took place following the service in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. Visitation was Tuesday July 20, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday July 21st 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.   A memorial has been established to the Festival of Hope and the Panhandle Humane Society.  Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.

He was born October 12, 1940 to Leon and Agnes (Rathman) Wynne, the first born of 6 children. He attended grade school at District 20, Sunshine Valley and graduated from Banner County High School in 1958. He then attended ITT in Denver Colorado.  He married Janice Cross on January 18, 1959 in Gering Nebraska.   To this union were born 3 children, Kevin, Roxie and Lana.  He was a charter member of the Banner County Fire Department and a member of the Knights of Pythias.  They farmed in Banner County for 27 years, producing dry land wheat and beans. He had a tender heart towards stray animals-birds, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits-nourishing many of them back to life.   He later worked for Hutchinson’s Feedlot which was then purchased by Hoehn Farms, where he worked until the time of his death. His companion for the past 22 years was Iris Kephart and they resided near Haig School.    He was a talented welder, creating unique home and yard décor as well as an avid rock hound-capable of spotting an arrow head or petrified wood that others would have walked over.  He was a reliable and hard worker, convinced that the task at hand would not get completed if he did not do it himself.  Calling on the aforementioned stubbornness, he continued to care for his “babies” at the feedlot despite the cancer taking its toll. He was a tough old boot, but we loved him and will miss him.

He is survived by his mother Agnes Wynne of Scottsbluff, NE.  Companion Iris Kephart of Mitchell, NE and her daughters Terri and Marty Fredrickson of Marion, KS and Tami Blome and her children Brett and Brody of Sterling, CO.   Children: Kevin Wynne and Teresa Orr of Gilbert, AZ, Roxie and Brad Shaul and Lana and Troy Greene all of Gering, NE.  Grandchildren: Garrett, Stevie and Jordan Wynne; Brady Shaul and fiancée Erin Reifschneider, Lauren, Jacey and Kaelyn Shaul, and Nathan and Morgan Greene, as well as 3 great granddaughters.   Siblings Bernie Wynne of Scottsbluff, NE, Bill Wynne of Gering, NE, Kathy and Larry Malm of Pine Bluff WY, Kent Wynne of TX, Tammy and Tim May of Imperial, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father Leon Wynne.