Bruce Eugene Mehlhop

Bruce Mehlhop peacefully passed away at Solterra January 7, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa in 1929 to Henry and Melinda Mehlhop. When he was 3 years old, his dad was killed in a hunting accident. Bruce was 5 when his mom married Ed Heikens who helped raise Bruce and his brother Norman. He grew up on a farm where he developed his values and learned many lessons in life. In the middle of his sophomore year, they moved to a farm near Alta where he loved playing football and baseball. After high school he helped Ed who was a carpenter and farmer before working in a machine shop.

In 1948 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 years. He married Charlotte Straight in 1950. They were building a house on the family farm when he was recalled into the Army during the Korean War. Once he was out of the service they moved to a farm near Early, Iowa where they raised their family. In 1956 there was a bad drought and no crop, so he got a job in town that winter with a contractor building houses. He spent the next 22 years farming and building houses.

After the kids left home, Bruce and Charlotte took up ballroom dancing and spent 7 years giving dance lessons. They retired in 1982 and moved off the farm after 30 years to Mesa, Arizona. Bruce and Charlotte joined a German Dance Group and went to Polka Festivals all over the USA. They started playing the button box accordions and became very active playing and dancing at polka festivals, Oktoberfests and special functions throughout Arizona and California. They spent many years playing their button boxes in German restaurants in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, Arizona.

The couple traveled all over the USA and took 10 trips to Europe, making many friends along the way. After Charlotte's health started to deteriorate, they moved to Solterra Senior Living Center in Lakeside, Arizona to be closer to their daughter. Bruce was one of a kind. His stories, his knowledge, his laugh and his hugs will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte in 2015 and his brother Norman. He is survived by his daughter Sue (Ray) Williamson of Lakeside, Arizona; son Jim (Jean) Mehlhop of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his special friend, Betty Johnson, who brought much love and happiness to him in his final years.

No services are planned.