Bruce Villars

Bruce Villars, 94, of Minden, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at First Christian Church in Minden with Rev. Joe Tira officiating. The service will be live streamed to the funeral home’s Facebook page. Private family interment will be held prior to services at the Minden Cemetery with military honors presented by the Minden American Legion and Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Bruce’s honor are kindly suggested to Be The Gift in Minden, Mission II Haiti, Minden Senior Center or the First Christian Church in Minden. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. H. Bruce Villars was born on August 8, 1928 with his identical twin brother, Larry Dee to Harry Seward and Ethel (Robb) Villars in Tecumseh, NE. He grew up in the Tecumseh area and attended school at Tecumseh High School. Bruce then attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where he received a degree in Ag Engineering and played football. He assisted the university in conducting engineering research on tractors. Bruce and Larry Dee completed college, then entered Naval officer training. Bruce served in Korea. He was united in marriage to Charlene M. Borgaard on December 30, 1951 at First Christian Church in Minden and to this union three children were born: Patricia, Richard and Dan. The family made their home on the farm, just north of Minden where he was self-employed. He farmed with his father-in-law, Charles Borgaard, then took over the operation in 1963 when Charles died. Bruce was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scout Master after participating in the program himself. He was a member of Rotary, First Christian Church in Minden, and the American & Nebraska Quarter Horse Association. He was a supporter of Be The Gift in Minden and Mission II Haiti, where he donated multiple tools, a pickup, and a Jeep. He loved attending auctions as “Bidder #7”, raising horses, going to Summer Haven Lake and spent many of his birthdays attending the Burwell Rodeo. As a young boy, Bruce enjoyed going to Morrill to visit his uncle Jess to work on his farm. In recent years, Bruce enjoyed reading Louis L’Amour books, driving the gator to check the farm, as well as watching John Wayne movies, football, and golf. He also loved peach ice cream. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 70 years, Charlene; sons, Rick Villars and Dan Villars; daughter, Pat Erickson; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bob, Charles and Larry Dee, and sister, Ellen Villars Holden. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Bruce Villars

August 8, 1928 - September 25, 2022