Bruce Mannes

Bruce Mannes, 90, passed away July 30, 2021, in Mesa, AZ. He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Arthur Mannes and Stella Rosenthal. As a young man he attended Shattuck Prep School in Faribault, MN where he participated on the hockey team and had the opportunity to attend the 1947 Boy Scout Jamboree in France as an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Northern State College with an undergraduate and master’s degree in education and moved to Blythe, California where he met and married Elaine Gibby on April 9, 1955.

Bruce started his work career as a schoolteacher in Blythe, CA and then became a school superintendent in Strandburg, South Dakota. He took a new job with the Chrysler Corporation that took his family to Minneapolis, MN. During this time Bruce & Elaine would have three children and added two more after moving to Aberdeen, SD. While in Aberdeen, Elaine started her Shaklee business with Bruce joining her full time. This business is now over 50 years old and is still going strong today with their children at the helm. The Shaklee business provided them with many opportunities to travel the world and help others build their own Shaklee business.

The Shaklee business allowed Bruce to do what he enjoyed most, meeting new people, and traveling. He loved to shop, and he liked a good restaurant. His favorite place to travel was New York City. He loved seeing Broadway shows, catching up with friends over dinner and seeing sights. Other favorite trips were to The Great Wall of China, the English countryside by train, going thru the Panama Canal and seeing a grandson’s hockey team play for a national title.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, and his half-brother Bob Smilo. He is survived by his 5 children: Dr. Bruce (Carrie) Mannes, Carla Mannes, Dave (Lisa) Mannes, Sara (Shane) Buntrock and Amy Mannes with 12 grand-children and 9 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind half siblings Susan Sands, Sandra Dunie, Gary Greenberg, and Harriet Greenberg Harris.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association ( ALZ.org ) or Shaklee Cares ( https://go.shaklee.com/shaklee-cares/ )

Visitation will be Thursday, August 5, 2021, from 5:00p- 7:00p at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201 followed by a private family burial Friday, August 6, 2021.