Dr. Roger H. Brus, age 88, of Helena, passed away July 1, 2016. He was born February 17, 1928 in Alta Vista, Iowa to Ralph and Martha (Brost) Brus and was one of three children.
Roger graduated from St. Williams High School (Alta Vista, Iowa) and went on to Upper Iowa University graduating Cum Laude. He obtained his medical degree from Marquette University in 1960.
Roger fought in the Korean War, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
Roger married JoElyn Brodnan in June 1960 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They moved to Libby Montana in 1965 were Roger open a practice and served the Libby community until 1996. Both Roger and JoElyn were longtime members of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Libby.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two siblings. Survivors include their three children Kirk of Garden Grove California, Reed of Helena Montana, and Meliss (Gary) Maxfield of Tumwater Washington; and grandchildren Olivia, Isabelle and Aidan Brus of Helena Montana, and Melyn Maxfield of Great Falls Montana. Roger is also survived by numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2016 at the cathedral of St. Helena. Private Family burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery after the Mass. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share memories of Dr. Brus.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday July 10, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 11, 2016
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Private Family
Monday July 11, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday July 10, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 11, 2016
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Private Family
Monday July 11, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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LeRoy and Mary-Margaret Ries says
So very Sorry to hear of Uncle Roger’s passing. Was just thinking of him yesterday too! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to Melissa, Reed and Kirk and their families.
Lynette Schwickerath says
Kirk, Reed, and Melissa …..
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father…. our Uncle Roger.
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Lynette (Brus) and Curt Schwickerath family
Lyle Ries says
To all of the Brus Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Uncle Roger. We will keep all of you in our prayers. God’s blessings to you all. With our sincere sympathy, Lyle and Lynn Ries and family
Dale Ries says
Kirk, Reed, Melissa and your families,
I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Roger’s passing. He is at peace with God and his beloved JoElyn and will always be watching over his family whom he loved so much. May your memories of him comfort you in this difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Dale Ries
Sister Phyllis Ann Ries, RSM says
Kirk, Melissa, Reed and your families,
I am sorry to hear about Uncle Roger. He has gone home to God and now is at peace and with his JoElyn. I just thought of him a few days ago. I have a lot of good memories of both your mother and dad. Know that I am keeping all of you in my heart in prayer as I
ask our loving God of Mercy to hold you close to Himself during these days and weeks ahead. May you feel his strength and grace. Always remember whenever you are at Mass that your
mother and dad are gathered around the altar with all the Communion of Saints. They will
be with you in a new way now, and they can help each of you on your continued journey to
heaven.
Sister Phyllis Ann Ries, RSM
Mary Noack says
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing Reed. My thoughts of comfort and peace are with you and your family.
Jean Lockhart & all the Lockhart family says
Kirk, Reed, and Meliss,
We all have fond memories of your father, especially of the entertaining stories he told, and the bear jerky he shared. Thinking of you all at this time.
Jim and Eileen Mee says
Dear family of Doctor Brus,
Eileen and I knew Dr. not only as our doctor but as a valued member of the community of Libby. He and your Mom were great people. We came to Libby in 1965 as they did. There are many stories that we could tell of how they made Libby a good place to live. I will always remember the twinkle in his eye at mass when he would catch me on the way out with a newspaper article or cartoon about politics or an event of the times.
It is often said that people can be judged by the family they raise. You are proof that your folks were fine people.
Eunice Graham, daughter of Lloyd and Edith Hockspeier says
I grew up knowing the name Roger Brus and knowing Roger was going to become a doctor. My Mother, Edith Hockspeier, was very impressed with Roger as a young person and especially so when he went on to college. I had no idea we shared Helena, Montana as our current residency; I did know we both came from Alta Vista, Iowa. My condolences go to those who grieve his passing. May you each have cherished memories to hold.
Nanc Glaser says
Kirk, Reed, and Meliss,
My thoughts are with you during this time. So happy were able to see him and your mom a few years ago; still as spunky as ever.
Nanc and Chuck Glaser
Marlys and Larry Mongan says
It is not possible to sum up Dr. Brus in a short paragraph. I came to Libby the year after your family moved there and worked with him at the hospital and he always seemed larger than life to me. I remember the years I worked with him with great respect and the years he was our physician with gratitude. I can remember Dr. Brus telling me that a surgeon is a doctor that cures! After we moved to Minnesota, we looked forward to our visits to Libby and the chance to see our dear friends, JoElyn and Dr. Brus to talk about the past and catch up with all the Libby news. I am glad they are now together again for eternity. Our sympathy is with you and your family.
Tom and Susan Horelick says
Tom knew Dr. Brus for many years, and required his expert “stitching” from several logging accidents . My first meeting with him was on my first day of work at the hospital in 1985, when he asked me to use my bandage scissors, which I was able to produce out of my uniform pocket. Years later, I discovered that having bandage scissors was actually a test that Dr. Brus used for all new nurses he met, and if you had them, you “passed” ! We got along fine from that point on, and I had tremendous respect for him throughout the years we worked together. Our daughter, now 26, was visiting us when we received word of his passing. She said she always remembered going to the Brus house on Halloween, because they gave her and her brothers the best treats! While we are sad at his passing, we know that Dr. Brus and JoElyn are together again, and we hope that thought will help bring your family peace.
Alice (Schauer) Luehr says
Dr. Brus was our family doctor for many years. He was a wondeful man and will be greatly missed. I am so glad I was able to attend his service today but am sorry I wasn’t able to speak to each of you. My son was the cantor for the service.
Diane Rewerts says
Dear Brus Family,
I was sorry to read if your dad’s passing. I had so much respect for your mom and dad. You mom was a phenomenal teacher and person. Always enjoyed your dad’s great sense of humor.
Diane Rewerts
Kathleen Hogan Swimley says
So many good memories of your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carl kujawa says
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Where does a person start when your Dad was the only Doctor you had your entire life. He was always there for us at his office or an emergency at the hospital he was there. Thank you you will be missed, you always treated us like family where ever we ran across each other. Take care and God bless
Kathy Jenkins says
I just heard about your dads passing. I am so very sorry. I thoroughly enjoyed all the years working with him as his secretary. I will always hold his memory dear.