December 10, 1942 – February 22, 2026
Bruce E. Kaasa, 83, of Mason City, passed away peacefully at home on February 22, 2026.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401, with Pastor Nadine Nkulu officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow the luncheon at Manly Cemetery in Manly, Iowa.
Bruce Edward Kaasa was born December 10, 1942, in Mason City, Iowa, to Thomas and Theresa (Olson) Kaasa. Raised in Hanlontown, he graduated from North Central of Manly with the Class of 1960. From an early age, Bruce understood the dignity of hard work and the power of education. After high school, he pursued his calling with determination, studying at Mason City Junior College, the University of Northern Iowa, and other institutions along the way, ultimately earning his Master’s Degree in science and education.
On July 17, 1960, Bruce married the love of his life, LaVonne Ogg, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, Iowa. Together they built a life grounded in faith, partnership, and devotion, and were blessed with two daughters and one son. During their 65 years of marriage, they loved traveling around the United States, especially to Lake Superior.
Bruce taught science, chemistry and physics in high school and college. He taught for Belle Plaine High School, Osage High School, Alexander Dawson (Lafayette, CO), Iowa Central Community College, Greene High School, Grandview College (Des Moines, IA), and North Iowa Area Community College. During summers and after retirement from Iowa Central, he worked as a truck driver for United States Postal Service, Smithway, Gold Eagle, Five Star, and Ruan, embodying the same tireless work ethic he modeled in the classroom. He retired as an instructor at Iowa Central Community College, leaving behind generations of students shaped by his influence.
Bruce was involved in sports in high school where he played basketball and baseball, then stayed active long into his adult life. He walked, biked, and attended cardio rehab for several years. He was a lifelong Twins, Hawkeyes, and Denver Broncos fan. He enjoyed attending Twins games with his children and grandchildren. He loved gardening, faithfully planting red geraniums each year, LaVonne’s favorite, while slipping in a few white blooms of his own. He cared for all of God’s creatures. Generosity was simply his nature.
His greatest joy, however, was his family. He woke his children in the mornings with the bright sound of a trumpet when they tried to sleep in late. He never missed a chance to be present, whether playing badminton, basketball, croquet, or simply sitting alongside his grandchildren. As a nurturing soul, he returned the care once given to him by lovingly tending to those who needed it most.
As the husband of a clergywoman, Bruce was a devoted and steadfast clergy spouse in each community LaVonne was pastor. For the last 18 years, Bruce was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City. Faith anchored his life. He served as an usher, member of the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Bible study participant, Sunday school supporter, and choir member. He made sure his children were in church each Sunday, teaching by example what it meant to live faithfully.
Left to carry forward his legacy are his daughters, Julie (Keith) Pitzen of Waterloo and Jennifer (William) Heller of Clear Lake; his grandchildren, Kyle Pitzen, Angel Heller, Wyatt Heller, Garrett Heller, Ty Heller, and Christopher Heller; sisters-in-law Janice Marshall (Dean Garcia) and JoAnn Kaasa; nieces, Jaren (Brad) Ostercamp and Doy (Chad) Gilbert; nephews Kai Kaasa, Tim (Alice) Kaasa, and Joel Kaasa; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife LaVonne Kaasa; his parents Thomas and Theresa Kaasa; step-mother, Beatrice; an infant son, Christopher; siblings, Harris (Haldis) Kaasa, Merwyn “Bud” Kaasa, and Carol Turner; and cousin Diane Joines Ring.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City, Iowa.
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