Saturday, February 10, 2018

War Hero, Dorchester Native Dale Bruha Passes At Age 89


Dale Frank Bruha was born Oct. 25, 1928, in Crete to Frank Jr. and Creolla “Sidy” (Neihart) Bruha, the oldest of three children, and passed away Jan. 29, 2018, at Memorial Hospital in Seward at age 89. Dale attended Glendale Country School southwest of Dorchester, later attending Crete and Dorchester Public Schools. Dale moved with his family to a farm southwest of Dorchester where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping on Turkey Creek. Dale completed his schooling in the military, graduating from Military Police School, Criminal Investigation Command School, Airborne Infantry School and graduating as a parachutist and glider man.

Dale began his military career at an early age during World War II by joining the Army Air Force Auxiliary and later becoming a pilot. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Coast area. During the Korean War, Dale served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 11th Airborne Division and volunteered for a newly formed 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team­—parachuting behind enemy lines in Korea with an infantry unit. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action. Dale also was awarded 16 other medals while serving his country in the U.S. Army and in the Nebraska National Guard for more than 20 years.

Upon his return to the states from Korea and Japan, he joined the Lincoln Police Department and was assigned to the detective division as an undercover officer and later assigned to the motorcycle squad. In 1956, he was appointed assistant chief of police with the Crete Police Department, assisting and installing the first two-way radio system. 

In 1957, Dale received an appointment as a Nebraska Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer. In 1959, Dale received a commission as a U.S. deputy game warden with the Federal Department of Interior, working three states and in addition, he was involved with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada. Dale was also the Nebraska special agent in charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

After his retirement from the Wildlife Service, he was assigned to a tri-county drug task force and finally, after retiring again, he moved to the Whiskey Jack Forest in the Northwest Territory of Ontario, Canada.

Dale was united in marriage to Darlene Jo Brabec in 1953, and to this union two sons were born. After her death, Dale later was blessed with a second marriage in 1993 to Patricia Rixstine. They resided in Milford. Both Dale and Pat enjoyed summers at their Canadian home. Dale was a member of American Legion Posts of Milford and Crete, a life member of Seward and Crete VFWs, 82nd Airborne Division Association, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat

Team Association, Marine Corps League-Cornhusker Detachment, Life Member-National Rifle Association, Crete Masonic Lodge 37, AF & AM, and he attended the Milford United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; sons and daughter-in-law, Robert and Dean and Joyce Bruha, all of Milford; three granddaughters, Tammy (John) Kliewer of Cameron, Missouri, Cari (Caleb) Nance of Lowell, Arkansas, and Casey Bruha of Omaha; great-grandchildren, John and Sara Kliewer and Lily and Joshua Nance; three step-children, Jeff, David and Kevin Rixstine; seven step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Ann Bruha of Dorchester; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Bob Hrdlicka of Milford; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Sidy Bruha; and his wife, Darlene Jo.

A funeral service was held Feb. 1, 2018, at the Milford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lyle Schoen officiating. Interment was in the Wilber Czech Cemetery, with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps, assisted by the Crete VFW and Milford American Legion Post. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Marine Corps League or to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.laubermoore.com.

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