Bruce A. Kottraba

Funeral service for Bruce Kottraba will be held11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2023 at Moorcroft Town Center with Pastor Donovan Voigt officiating; interment to follow at Moorcroft Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Walker Funeral Home. Bruce Alan Kottraba was born on December 13, 1964 to Chuck and Alta Kottraba. He joined two brothers (Creg and Lonny) and two sisters (Laray and Pat). He was a busy little guy, always on the move who loved his Matchbox cars. He loved them so much that he even slept with them in his crib. He wore out various riding toys a tricycle, a collie on wheels, a John Deere tractor and a few others. That must have been where his passion for anything mechanical that could move came from.

He attended school in Moorcroft and was a member of the Oshoto Outlaw 4 H Club. He wrestled, played trumpet, played football and helped Mom and Dad with the ranching (haying, feeding, and of course calving). He worked for Sundstroms as a mechanic helper, too. After High School, Bruce attended WyoTech in Laramie to get certified in Auto Mechanics. He spent a few years as a mechanic for Coca Cola in Colorado Springs, but he was drawn back to Moorcroft and the ranch. He gauged pumps for Western Oil for a while and then started working as a mechanic for Bridger Pipeline, formerly Belle Fourche Pipeline.

Before settling down to start a family of his own Bruce (Brukkar) was the fun uncle. He gave more bucking horse rides in the living room than the horses at the Frontier Days. He was a heck of a jitterbug dancer and loved country swing and a little beer.

Later he married Mendy Todd and to this union was born Stephen Tyler Kottraba and Shelby Lynn Kottraba. He loved being “Daad”. Bruce had a great sense of dad humor and loved to laugh with the kids. Bruce brought adventure, wonder, and fun in the kids’ childhood. He was a fair and gentle father as well as a strict teaching dad, when it was needed. Bruce intensely supported his children in all their hopes and dreams. As the kids say, “he was an amazing father, he always made sure we knew we were loved, that we had everything we needed, and that we knew where home was.”

Bruce often climbed on his Gold Wing Motorcycle to see the local sites. He liked being a Moorcroft tour guide on his Side by Side with his kids on the weekend afternoons. Many days were spent bouncing and giggling, racing around and just having fun. And Sunday afternoons were often set aside to check on Grandma’s place.

Bruce was always busy working with his hands. He spent many hours tinkering in his shops and “mechanicking” on a friend’s outfit. He was in his element with music blaring and ratchet in hand. Bruce even turned his little outbuilding into his woodwork shop. He would craft his family and friends’ cups, cup holders, signs, vases, and, for Mom, a special cedar cane. He kept that workshop amazingly dust free.

At times an extra set of hands was needed to do these projects, someone to share their opinion, someone to hold a piece while he (measured twice and cut once). That’s when Kellie and Bruce found they could work well with each other. They enjoyed laughing and joking many times together. They created art and toured Crook County together. They went wherever the fates took them. Their friendship grew as they would joyride, laugh, and joke together. Their companionship grew into something meaningful and loving. They complimented each other.

Bruce believed in enjoying life, quality and workmanship. If he built something, it would last forever. And that applied to his projects, his relationships and his friends that were so important to Bruce. Bruce had a gentle loving side that was fun and clever. He liked to sing at the top of his lungs. Often the words were not the usual words, but fun. Bruce also had a very serious side that commanded respect especially when it came to work and doing what was right. There was a time for fun and for seriousness. Things needed to be done right. Just a little bit of a perfectionist.

Bruce is survived by: his loving partner, Kellie Perkins; his son Stephen and Stephen’s children Kathryn and Jack; and his daughter, Shelby. His siblings include his brothers Creg Kottraba (Kathy)and Lonny Kottraba (Jovita) and two sisters Laray Askin (Frank) and Pat Kottraba. Bruce also leaves many nieces, and nephews. He is survived by his Aunt Dorthy Mulholland (Gene) and many cousins.

Memorials suggested would be Shriner’s or St. Jude’s in honor of Bruce’s love for kids. Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com

Bruce will be very missed by all.