Bruce Temen

Bruce Daiquiri Temen, age 76, passed away on August 21, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was surrounded by family, including Joyce Temen-McMillian, John McMillian, Shelby Fairchild, Jeremiah Temen and Carson Stark.

Bruce was born on June 16, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. He also lived in Minnesota before making his home in Marshfield, Missouri. He was the son of Kenneth Leroy Temen and Violet Irene Ohlson Temen.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Louise (Nitsche) Temen, whom he married in September 1969. They shared 52 years of marriage until her passing in January 2022. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Louise Temen; his parents; his daughter-in-law, Jeremy’s wife Elizabeth Temen, his son, Brent Temen; his sister, Donna H. Smith; his sister-in-law, Collette Temen; and Karen’s sister, Jean Cisneros.

He is survived by his son, Jeremy Temen; his daughter, Joyce Temen-McMillian, and her husband, John McMillian; from Marshfield. Bruce has Seven grandchildren, Maria, Jeremiah, Brent, Story, Zach, Shelby, and Carson; and has Twelve great-grandchildren, Venus, Sharada, Adonis, Jude, Link, Kaiya, Brent Jr., Ivan, Nevaeh, Aubrie, Jaiden, and Anton.

He is also survived by his brothers, Kenneth, Brad, Jeff, Craig, and Bryan Temen; his sister, Tanya Gleash; Karen’s sister, Charlotte Zerbs-Barth; and their families, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Bruce was a Marine veteran who loved his country. Throughout his life, he pursued many paths, working as an entrepreneur and business owner and in corrections, law enforcement, teaching, and creative writing. He earned a degree summa cum laude from Missouri State University. Intelligent, creative, and curious, Bruce was never afraid to explore a new idea or begin a new chapter.

He enjoyed cooking, eating, and watching movies. Good food was a source of pleasure for him, whether he was preparing it, sharing it, or discussing it. He also enjoyed a good argument and was never afraid to express his opinions.

Bruce had a strong presence and was not one to fade into the background. He liked attention and had a way of making sure people knew when he was in the room. He could be stubborn, outspoken, generous, funny, and impossible to forget. He questioned what others might simply accept and encouraged his children to think independently and follow their own paths.

In the last few years of his life, Bruce found strength through Jesus and held on to his faith in his own way. He sometimes spoke about wanting to be like Job, whose story he understood as one of enduring hardship while continuing to seek God. The words of Job reflected the faith Bruce admired: “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). His faith included questions, struggles, hope, and perseverance, all of which were part of his honest and deeply personal journey.

Bruce was known for helping people whenever he could, sometimes to a fault. He wanted others to have somewhere to turn when they needed help. His life was not always simple, and neither was Bruce, but those who knew him understood that his complexity was part of what made him memorable. Beneath his strong opinions and unmistakable personality was a willingness to show up for people and make a difference in their lives.

He leaves behind stories, lessons, arguments, laughter, regrets, memories, and the lasting impression of a life lived in his own distinctive way. His family will remember the conversations, meals, movies, opinions, and ordinary moments that became meaningful simply because Bruce was there.

Bruce will be laid to rest beside his wife, Karen, in Marshfield, Missouri, at a later date, when his son Jeremy can join his sister Joyce and their family in giving their father his final farewell.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services.