Services for Father Bruch held Aug. 8
Posted August 15, 2002

CARROLL - Mass of the Christian burial for Father Walter L. Bruch was celebrated Aug. 8 at Holy Spirit Church.

Father Bruch, 78, died Aug. 6 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll. Father Bruch was buried at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetary in Mount Carmel.

The celebrant of the Mass was Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo and concelebrants were retired Bishop Lawrence D. Soens and Fathers James Bruch, Lynn Bruch, Cecil Friedman, James McCormick, Lloyd White, Leo Riesberg, Robert Brown and the priests of the Diocese of Sioux City.

Father Bruch was a son of Anna (Hoelker) and Joseph Bruch Sr. He was born Feb. 29, 1924, in Carroll. He was educated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel elementary and high school and graduated from Trinity High School in Sioux City. He then attended Trinity College and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Father Bruch was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1950, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City by Bishop Joseph M. Mueller. His first assignment was as chaplain of St. Monica's Home and Good Shepherd Home, then served as assistant pastor at St. Bernard's in Breda and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda.

Father Bruch was then pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in West Bend from 1955 to 1956, Sacred Heart in Templeton from 1956 to 1957, Sts. Peter and Paul in Pocahontas from 1957 to 1962, St. Mary in Armstrong from 1962 to 1969, St. Columbkille in Varina from 1969 to 1971, St. Mary in Mapleton from 1971 to 1981, St. Joseph in Dedham from 1981 to 1984, St. Mary in Mallard from 1984 to 1991 and St. Martin in Odebolt from 1991 to 1996. While at Armstrong, Father Bruch constructed the new Cathetical Center for the parish.

Survivors include his five siblings, Joseph Bruch Jr. and his wife, Hilda, of Carroll, Sister Dolores Bruch, FSPA of Carroll, Edwin Bruch of Carroll, Rosemary Bruch of Carroll and Laura Tauber and her husband, Ralph, of Las Vegas. He had several nieces and nephews.

Father Bruch was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lawrence, Art, Julian, and Carl Bruch; and sister Elizabeth Vonnahme.