Bruce Alan Mende of Leander, Texas passed away on August 29, 2024. Services will be held October 19th at the Rockpointe Church in Liberty Hill, Texas.
Bruce was born July 15, 1963 to Gordon and Carol (Durham) Mende in El Paso, Texas. While in high school, he began training in Carpentry, graduating from Andress HS in 1981. He then attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Iowa, earning a Diploma in Carpentry-Summa Cum Laude under Norm Nevenhoven in 1982.
Building his career, he moved from Texas to Massachusetts where he met and married Brenda Oullette in 1990. He became a loving father to Robert and Lea, raising his family first in Massachusetts and then in the Austin, Texas area. Several years later, he married Cheryl Beal in 2010. Cheryl and Bruce made their home a place of comfort and support.
Bruce established Mende Woodworks with a full shop at his home in Leander. Curved stairways, wooden ceilings, cabinets, and furniture were just some of the beautiful products of his skillful hands. Living in a non-incorporated community, he was the go-to man for many of the needs of the residents and served on the Well Committee as President and as a Board member. He loved to fish, especially with his brothers Gary and Brian down on the Gulf of Mexico near Corpus Christi. He loved to barbeque and smoke meats and help prepare the meals for his friends and family. He was a loyal and faithful friend to many.
One of his most cherished activities was helping feed the homeless in the Austin area. His “Second Saturday” group worked to prepare a meal once a month to help do Christ’s work in the world. One November, he helped thaw, bake, and deliver over 100 turkeys for Thanksgiving meals.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Mende and Carol Mende, his brother, Gary Darrin Mende, and step-son Ben Miller. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, his son Robert (Saimi) Oullette, daughter Lea (Luke) Szczerba, and step-daughter Kristen Miller; grandchildren Daniel, Ren, Ainslee, Edwin, Mason, Scott, and Morgan; great-grandchildren Carlee, Ashton, Kole, and Elijah. He is also survived by his sister Melanie (Jim) Flynn of Emmetsburg, Iowa, brother Kevin (Maggie) Mende of El Paso, Texas, brother Brian (Tisha) Mende of Corpus Christi, Texas, and brother-in-law Darren (Reshma) Beal of Fayetteville, North Carolina; co-parent and friend Brenda Mende; his close Aunt & Uncle Sara & Harold O’Bryan of Cashmere, Washington; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
