Bruce Kouba
Bruce Kouba, age 76, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 13, 2025.
Born on August 8, 1948, in Wichita, Kansas, Bruce proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a decorated veteran, honored with the Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Bruce continued to uphold the same dedication and integrity throughout his life, including 53 years of service at both the Locale 58 and the Nationale levels with the Forty & Eight, an honor society of American veterans. He was also actively involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, military veterans’ organizations.
After his honorable military service, Bruce earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wichita State University and went on to build a successful career in business.
A man of deep faith, Bruce was a devout Catholic who remained actively involved in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.
He was also deeply committed to his community, serving on numerous boards including Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities Wichita, Newman University, St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund, Center of Hope, Kansas Food Bank, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Sedgwick County Community Corrections, Wichita Crime Commission, Crime Stoppers, and many others.
Bruce loved spending time with his grandchildren, cheering on the Wichita State Shockers, and spoiling the family pets. He found joy in simple pleasures: listening to music, reading books, taking lake trips, fishing with loved ones, and telling a good story.
Bruce is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Betty and John Kouba; his brother, Brent; and his sister, Bonni.
He is survived by his wife, Jann Kouba; daughters, Crista (Randy Burnett), Denette Stickle, Jeny (John Mash, Jr.), and Rebeckah Kouba; sisters, Barbara Benner and Bev (Kevin Gipson); and cherished grandchildren, Brittany, Ryan, Brendan (Emily) Burnett, Maddy, and J.D. Mash. He is also survived by his aunt, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 124 N. Roosevelt, Wichita, Kansas 67208. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 610 S. Vassar, Wichita, Kansas 67218, with military honors in recognition of his service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, 124 N. Roosevelt, Wichita, Kansas 67208, and the Forty & Eight, Voiture 58, Nursing Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 12765, Wichita, KS 67277.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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When I first got to work with Bruce he had always talked about the Cagion Wreck in Louisiana and wanted me to go with him. This happened annually in February each year. When the date came up Bruce and I departed for Louisiana. Just prior to going through Dallas he called Hank to let him know that we were on our way to meet him at the wreck. Mind you we were traveling at 85 mph, Hank said something to him on the phone and Bruce said “what, the wreck is next weekend “ and pulled off the interstate zig zagging through road barriers and comes to a stop. He then told Hank that we were coming to his house and would be there in a couple of hours. We spent the rest of the day at Hanks and went on a boat ride on lake Bistonoe for a couple hours. Went to the Legion post for dinner, found a motel for the night. Next day we went to Monroe, La to the Duck Commander Duck Dynasty store. Later that day we went to the Horse Races and stayed at a time share for the night. The next day we went towards Hot Springs, Ar on our way back to Derby and Wichita, Ks. The moral of the story when traveling with Bruce is having the right dates to attend a function and if not make due diligence and enjoy the time, experience and have fun. Sence then Bruce and I have traveled together and seperatly to many Forty and eight events local, state, and National conducting business and fun and enjoying every moment learning from Bruce about the Forty and eight, the German club, the ballon club, and many of the programs within the organization and moving up throughout the organization through Local, State and National positions. Bruce was a wealth of information and a mentor to many in the Forty and Eight as well as the community he lived in. He will be greatly missed, I salute you, RIP my friend.
Bruce,
May the angels lead you into paradise:
may the martyrs receive you as you arrive,
and bring you into the holy city of Jerusalem,
and may you have eternal rest.
Jeff and Helen Hund
A warrior and father! RIP Bruce
miss you brother bruce !!!
I’m so sorry to hear of Bruce’s death. He followed me as head of Encore when Dan’s dad was dying. At that juncture, I got to know Bruce and his devotion to his faith and to his family. He was such a lovely man. I can’t be there Wednesday, but will continue to pray for him and his family. Let eternal rest and peace be granted unto him and let perpetual light shine upon him. Pam Gonzalez
I could write a book. Bruce and I grew up on opposite ends of Grail Street in the shadow of what is now St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Then the land was mostly open fields encircling a mobile home park. A small stream (which we referred to as “the ditch”) ran by the neighborhood. The neighborhood was full of good Catholic kids – our school was just a block away.
We were in the same grade and we soon became good friends. During those years we would look for any opportunity for adventure whether it was exploring the world from our bikes, acting out scenes from movies, looking for crawdads in the ditch or playing baseball in a nearby vacant lot. “Sandlot” always reminds me of those days. As the years rolled by our lives took different tacks so we saw less of each other.
Bruce was a leader. He enriched so many people’s lives in business, public service, and his faith. During the last years of life my dad lived at the VA Nursing Home. Every week for years Bruce would drop by to visit with dad and share stories of their experiences in war. Dad looked forward to his visits. I will always be grateful to Bruce for how he brightened my dad’s life.
I recently read that there will be a time when we will only be a memory to those we leave behind so we should strive to be a good one. Bruce will always be a good one. Rest In Peace my friend. Prost!
Ron Setter
I am so sorry to hear this. I knew Bruce at church and professionally. Always very fair and very diligent with his business. Blessings to his family and friends.