Robert N. "Bob" Bruty, age 74, of Washington, Iowa died suddenly on Friday, December 28, 2012.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2012 at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Troy Richmond officiating. Visitation will begin 11:00 a.m. Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2:30 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Prayer services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Paws and More Animal Shelter or the Red Brick School. Online condolences may be sent for Bob's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Bob was born September 12, 1938 in Washington, Iowa the son of Walter Hubert and Evelyn Lorraine (Wallace) Bruty. He attended the Red Brick Country School, St. James School, and Washington High School. He was married to Marilee Lynn Cray on August 1, 1957. He later married Mary Denton Ferguson on January 12, 1990.

Bob worked in construction his entire adult life, starting out as a carpenter working for his dad, later becoming a contractor, and finally selling lumber and building supplies. He owned and operated Bruty Lumber in Washington, Iowa since 1977, and had owned and operated Bruty Construction for many years prior to that. He built many houses in and around Washington.

Bob was a member of St. James Catholic Church. He enjoyed people and was known as a great storyteller. He loved his dogs, Scooter and Charlie, and took them to work with him every day. He enjoyed going for drives in the country, hunting mushrooms, and cooking.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Bruty of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Bev Lyons and husband Dick of St. Charles, Iowa; son Norm Bruty and wife Kim of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Marsha Jensen of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Brink Colby and husband Ed of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Sheila Hanson and husband Chris of Washington; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; step-daughter, Kristi Van Laere and husband Bruce of DeWitt, Iowa; step-son, John Dennis Ferguson and wife Deana of Des Moines, Iowa; step-son-in-law Alan Evans of Washington, Iowa; six step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his brother, Frank Bruty and wife Kirtene of Washington, Iowa; sister, Ellen Osborn and husband Ernie of Milan, Illinois; sister, Rita Mathes and husband Bill of Burlington, Iowa; brother-in-law, Gerald Cherryholmes of Denton, Texas; and former wife, Marilee Bruty, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hubert Bruty; sister, Betty Cherryholmes; son-in-law, Curt Jensen; sister-in-law Sherrill Bruty; and step-daughter Kathy Evans.