Bruce LeRoy Bean

BURLEY – Bruce LeRoy Bean, 75, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 19, 2026, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. Bruce was born on October 12, 1950, to Raymond Bean and Delma Garner Bean and was the sixth of eight children. Bruce grew up in Burley, Idaho, working alongside his family on the farm and caring for cattle. During his school years, he participated in track and basketball. He also had a lifelong love of music, which included playing bass in a band during his high school years. Bruce had a close-knit group of friends from his school days who remained lifelong friends, bonded by plenty of mischief, laughter, and stories best left to those who were there.

Bruce graduated from Burley High School in 1968, and attended Ricks College for one semester that fall. He then returned home to Burley and joined his brother, Roland, in a land-leveling business and took on various construction jobs throughout the area. The work was demanding, often beginning before sunrise and continuing late into the night during the busy season. It was during this time that he met Barbara Nielsen while she was working at the BeckyAnn Café. The two married on December 26, 1969, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they built a life centered around family, faith and farming. They had a close relationship and shared years of adventures together. Bruce and Barbara later bought a farm with his father and began his career as a farmer. Bruce was a man of strong values, high standards, and a determination all his own. When he decided to do something, he was “all in.” That determination could be seen throughout his life—in his accomplishments in farming, the international success of his sheep operation, his willingness to share his knowledge with young people through 4-H and FFA, and, most importantly, in his faith. They were blessed with four children: Ron, Nancy, Susie, and Brent. Bruce was incredibly proud of his family, and over the years, that family grew to include 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Hard work was simply a way of life for Bruce. From his early days working on the family farm to long days spent land leveling, farming, and raising livestock, he was never afraid to put in the hours necessary to get a job done. He believed that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well, and he expected as much from himself as he did from anyone else.

Bruce also had a true sense of adventure and a love for experiencing life to the fullest. He loved flying his airplane, snowmobiling, and was always ready to try something new—whether it was scuba diving, skydiving, or traveling to new places. He approached adventure much the same way he approached life—with enthusiasm, determination, and very little hesitation.

Bruce had a gift for making people laugh. He was a jokester and a tease, and there was rarely a missed opportunity for a quick comeback or a little mischief. He was also remarkably generous, whether that meant sending someone home with potatoes, shipping boxes of potatoes and fresh, sweet corn across the country, sharing a treat, lending a hand, or simply making sure people knew they were loved and appreciated. Even through difficult times, Bruce believed deeply in choosing a positive attitude and finding something to smile about.

Bruce’s faith was an important part of his life, and he found great joy in serving others through his many church callings. Over the years, he served as a Scout leader, in the Young Men organization, as a Sunday School teacher, stake clerk, high councilman, second counselor in a bishopric, and bishop. Whatever the calling, Bruce gave it his best and genuinely loved the opportunity to serve. When he was called to serve as bishop of the Star Second Ward, he initially thought he might be too old for the job, but it became a calling he deeply loved and treasured. His faith was reflected not only in the positions he held, but in the way he showed up, worked hard, and cared for the people he was asked to serve.

Bruce leaves behind much more than the dates that marked his life. He leaves a family who loved him deeply, countless stories that will continue to make them laugh, and an example of generosity, gratitude, and choosing joy even when life was difficult. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Barbara; his four children, Ron (Heather) Bean, Nancy (David) Walnum, Susie (Mark) Wright, and Brent (Heidi) Bean; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; his three sisters, LaRae (Brad) Hansen, Lynette Martin, and Sharla (Bryan) Bessire; and brother-in-law, Alan Peterson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Daryl and Roland; sisters, Marlaine Peterson and Lila Church; and brother-in-law, Vaughn Church.

Bruce’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many people who cared for him throughout the years, including the staff at Burley Physical Therapy, Dr. Baker, the physicians and nurses in the ICU at St. Luke’s, Magic Valley Urology, Raney Stevenson, and the nurses at A Bridge Home Hospice. We are also incredibly grateful for the family, friends, and neighbors who never hesitated to drop what they were doing to lend a hand, offer support, or simply be there when we needed them. Your compassion, kindness, and love for Bruce and our family will never be forgotten.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Star 2nd Ward, located at 100 South 200 West, of Burley, with Bishop Jesse Bradshaw officiating. Burial will follow at Paul Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, August 28, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the funeral, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/JLLsHAfJM5M.