Bruce Allen Koellner, age 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with the love of his family, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Bruce was born in Racine, WI on April 7, 1938. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School of San Diego, CA in 1956. He faithfully enlisted into the United States Army National Guard in 1962 at Fort Lewis in Washington and transitioned into active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

On June 6, 1959 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Paris, WI, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Cecelia "Cis" (nee: Mueller). With a profound work ethic, Bruce was employed at Massey-Ferguson until joining the Racine County Sheriff's Department on March 20, 1967. He was promoted to a detective in 1973. Bruce retired from the department on April 30, 1996 after nearly 30 years of service. In retirement, Bruce worked for the Bank of Elmwood and, later, with Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, only resigning after his health began to decline in 2025.

Bruce was a longtime, devoted member of St. Lucy Catholic Church where he served as a Sunday morning usher for many years.  Bruce volunteered as a founding board member of Racine Runaway Home, now known as SAFE Haven of Racine. He also was a board member for Innovative Youth Services and was involved with the Racine's sister city program: Montelimar, France. In his down time, you could always find Bruce with a book in his hand. Bruce was an extremely devoted husband, dad, grandpa, & great-grandpa that loved being together with his entire family.

Surviving are his loving wife of 67 years, Cis; sons, Jeffrey (Kelli) Koellner, Timothy (Lisa) Koellner and Martin (Stephanie) Koellner; 13 dear grandchildren; 24 adored great-grandchildren; sister, Martha (John) Hensiak; sisters-in-law, Karla Uhlenhake and Paula Thomas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family, breakfast club and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn (Willis) Carson; father, Clarence Koellner; beloved daughter, Amy (Kevin) Sheldon; grandson, Pierre Koellner; grandson-in-law, Eric Diaz; Cecelia's parents, Henry and Elizabeth (nee: Horn) Mueller; sisters-in-law, Rita (Jim) Mason, Rosalie (Cas) Zurawski and Monica (Russel) Schmeckel; and brothers-in-law, Mike Saff, Lawrence Uhlenhake and Wayne Thomas.

Services celebrating Bruce will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 5:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Military honors will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In memory of Bruce, memorials to the "National Multiple Sclerosis Society" – in recognition of the battle his beloved Amy fought for many years.

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