Clarence Joseph Bruess, 81, peacefully returned to his heavenly Father on Wednesday January 4, 2023 surrounded by family and his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Lou.
Clarence (CJ) was born May 23, 1941 on his family’s small farm near St. Lucas, IA, the youngest of 11 children to parents John Christ and Caroline Helen (Bodensteiner) Bruess. In 1959, he graduated from St. Lucas Catholic High School in St. Lucas, IA, then earned his undergraduate degree (1963) in Education from Loras College where he also left an impressive legacy in intramural sports. In 1974, he earned his Master’s degree in English from Loras College.
Clarence and Mary Lou (ML) Hoey were married June 13, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Waucoma, IA. They began their family and CJ’s teaching and coaching career in Highland, WI. In 1966 they moved their growing family to Monroe, WI, where they raised their four children: Kelly, Jenny, Brian and Michelle. Together, the six Bruesses grew up enjoying camping, fishing, sports, and every opportunity to embrace the outdoors.
For 30 years, CJ worked at Monroe Senior High School (MHS) in multiple roles: English teacher, coach, Key Club advisor, and Athletic Director. He was a passionate and beloved educator, known for using literature and sports to open young minds to life’s possibilities. His great love was teaching 9th grade English, then seeing those same students as seniors take his World Literature class. Early in his career he coached multiple Cheesemaker sports, including basketball and baseball. But his true passion was coaching the track and cross country teams. The positive, indelible impact “Coach Bruess'' had on thousands of MHS students and athletes has been witnessed, over decades, in a steady outpouring of love and the frequent correspondence with his runners, affectionately known as “hounds.” He treasured these relationships. CJ’s coaching career was highly decorated, including three cross country state Championships; multiple Badger Conference championships; and induction into the WIAA Coaches Hall of Fame. CJ was also successful at building a loyal community of MHS athletic boosters, eventually serving as MHS’s Athletic Director until his retirement in 1996.
CJ was an active community volunteer, serving countless hours over the years at St. Victor’s Catholic Church, Optimist International, Kiwanis International, The Apostolate to the Handicapped, Jaycees, WIAA Coaches Association, and multiple other organizations he believed made Monroe and the surrounding communities strong. He is best known and loved for his legendary zest for life, and unwavering gratitude and optimism. He lived fully, always in steady, uncompromising alignment with his values. Guided by faith, CJ’s signature was a fierce commitment to education, passion for literature, desire to live a simple but purposeful life, an uncanny pursuit of victory and competitive athletic success, and — most of all — his admiration for and love of family, especially his beloved wife and favorite boat partner, Mary Lou.
CJ was a prolific fisherman, spending many hours with family and friends in pursuit of the elusive walleye. Summers at “The Shack” in northern Minnesota brought him immense joy. He enjoyed watching sports, hunting, playing cards, cooking, traveling, and embracing any chance to be with family, especially his nine grandchildren and great granddaughter. CJ took great delight in watching each of them grow, an avid follower and supporter of their diverse and impressive educational, professional and athletic pursuits. He was a proud father and grandpa, never hesitant to tell everyone and anyone about the pride he had in his family. He attended as many games, graduations, concerts and birthdays that he could. Nothing was more important nor brought him more joy than a family gathering. CJ and ML also loved traveling together, especially to Cabo, Mexico. In retirement he became a regular at the Monroe Public Library, an opportunity to nourish his never-failing love of literature.
CJ will be dearly missed by his loving wife Mary Lou (Monroe, WI); children Kelly Place (South Wayne, WI); Dr. Jennifer and Dr. Mark Brumm (LaCrosse, WI); Dr. Brian and Dr. Carol Bruess (St. Joseph, MN); Michelle and Jeff Frehner (Madison, WI); and grandchildren Dr. Stephanie Place (Chicago, IL); Michael and Natalia Place (South Wayne, WI); Dr. Katharine and Dr. Aaron Eichsteadt (Pittsville, WI); Aaron Brumm (Los Angeles, CA); Ryan Brumm (Chicago, IL); Tony Bruess (New York, NY); Grace Bruess (Los Angeles, CA); Anna Frehner (San Diego, CA); John Frehner (Boulder, CO); and great granddaughter Everly Place (South Wayne, WI).
Clarence Bruess was preceded in death by his parents John and Caroline Bruess; parents-in-law Tony and Madonna Hoey; sisters Lucille Bruess, Lucille (Gus) Lechtenberg, Alice (Alphonse) Bullerman, Wilma (Stanley) Franzen, Arlene (Steven) Lansing, and brothers Art (Irene) Bruess, Cornell Bruess, Donald (Evelyn) Bruess, Jim (Betty) Bruess, John Bruess and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral service will be held at St. Victor’s Church, 1760 14th St., Monroe, WI, at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 12. Burial will occur immediately following the funeral at Calvary Cemetery in Monroe. Visitation hours will be 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 11 at St. Victor Church and at noon on Thursday, January 12, prior to the funeral. Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
In order to provide reasonable protection for family and friends with health risks, given the post-holiday surge of COVID, face coverings are necessary for the visitation and funeral.
To honor CJ’s passion for education and learning, the Bruess family encourages memorial donations in his name sent directly to St. Victor School, Monroe High School, or Monroe Public Library. The family offers deep gratitude for the tender loving care provided by the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Monroe Hospital.
