Bruce Mannes, 90, passed away July 30, 2021, in Mesa, AZ. He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Arthur Mannes and Stella Rosenthal. As a young man he attended Shattuck Prep School in Faribault, MN where he participated on the hockey team and had the opportunity to attend the 1947 Boy Scout Jamboree in France as an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Northern State College with an undergraduate and master’s degree in education and moved to Blythe, California where he met and married Elaine Gibby on April 9, 1955.
Bruce started his work career as a schoolteacher in Blythe, CA and then became a school superintendent in Strandburg, South Dakota. He took a new job with the Chrysler Corporation that took his family to Minneapolis, MN. During this time Bruce & Elaine would have three children and added two more after moving to Aberdeen, SD. While in Aberdeen, Elaine started her Shaklee business with Bruce joining her full time. This business is now over 50 years old and is still going strong today with their children at the helm. The Shaklee business provided them with many opportunities to travel the world and help others build their own Shaklee business.
The Shaklee business allowed Bruce to do what he enjoyed most, meeting new people, and traveling. He loved to shop, and he liked a good restaurant. His favorite place to travel was New York City. He loved seeing Broadway shows, catching up with friends over dinner and seeing sights. Other favorite trips were to The Great Wall of China, the English countryside by train, going thru the Panama Canal and seeing a grandson’s hockey team play for a national title.
Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, and his half-brother Bob Smilo. He is survived by his 5 children: Dr. Bruce (Carrie) Mannes, Carla Mannes, Dave (Lisa) Mannes, Sara (Shane) Buntrock and Amy Mannes with 12 grand-children and 9 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind half siblings Susan Sands, Sandra Dunie, Gary Greenberg, and Harriet Greenberg Harris.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org) or Shaklee Cares (https://go.shaklee.com/shaklee-cares/)
Visitation will be Thursday, August 5, 2021, from 5:00p- 7:00p at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201 followed by a private family burial Friday, August 6, 2021.
The Shaklee family will miss your wisdom.
It was always an adventure to be in the presence of Elaine & Bruce! Thank you for your Leadership. Pat
What a beautiful tribute to a great man. He was always so kind and generous and full of wisdom. He will be missed by all who knew him.
I first met Bruce at Shattuck in about 1948. We parted ways at commencement, and then renewed our acquaintance as fellow member of the Board of Trustees of our school in more recent years. For those three years we enjoyed each other’s company at a number of meetings. He always had stories to tell, and I enjoyed our times together. We were the two oldest members of the Board. And he was 90 when he left us and I am 2 years younger than he. It was a privilege and a pleasure to know Bruce, and he was so proud of all of his family. DEF
My deepest sympathy. What a blessing Bruce’s legacy lives on in his children.
“Death leaves a pain, No one can heal. Love leaves a memory, no one can steal”.
Linda, Abilene, KS
Bruce and Elaine were so kind to me and Rebekah when we stopped by, moving from Scottsdale to Ohio. I appreciated Bruce’s getting the color-coded T-shirts for our reunion.
He was my favorite client,work for him wasn’t a job it was a big experience of acknowledgement ,he was fun,caring and a good man,..missing him a lot
Always with a smile, and often with a joke, Bruce was an incredible man. He gave wonderful advice and mentored me at an early point in my career. I will always remember his affable style, razor sharp mind, and the love he had for his beloved wife Elaine. He will really be missed by many!
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I know your dad was a great guy and fun to be around.
I hope you are all hangin in there.
we are so sorry to read about your loss . i found out that bruce had passed in the american legion paper and i knew he was a member of our lodge masons. so again our lodge will miss bruce and his input of being a mason for 69 years
i will put in his profile his passing and he wont be receiving any more communication from our lodge
doug roggow
sec/trea sunrise lodge 211 aberdeen sd