Generations at the Table
Biographies:
Iona (Fry) Bruce
Iona (Fry) Bruce was born in July of 1906 in Osakis, Minnesota to parents Leverne and Carrie (Hanson) Fry[1]. On her mother’s side, her family was of Scandinavian descent: her grandparents immigrated from Norway and Denmark in the 1860s before making their way to Minnesota[2]. Her father’s family had already been in America for centuries by the time Iona was born[3].
An only child, Iona grew up in a small lakeside Minnesota town. She enjoyed a seemingly idyllic childhood on the lake, spending her time as a child boating, fishing, and catching frogs with her friends. She showed an affinity for music in her childhood as well, giving piano lessons as a teenager and playing for church services as well as accompanying silent movies playing in town[1]. After attending Osakis High School[4], Iona attended the St. Cloud Teacher’s College in St. Cloud, Minnesota[5] (now St. Cloud State University[6]). During her time at the college, she participated in the Young Women’s Christian Association, the Women’s Glee Club, and Campfire, as well as the Photozetean, which was one of several campus literary societies[5]. She graduated with her teaching credential in 1925[1].
After obtaining her credential, she worked to establish herself as a music teacher in Minneapolis. She found a teaching position at Morris Park School[7] and was renting a room just a few blocks away on 33rd Ave South[8].
In 1928, Iona and her mother visited her aunt in Santa Maria during a summer trip to California[9] in between school terms. It was on this trip that she met Robert Bruce, a superintendent of the local school district, when she applied for a teaching position[1]. In 1930, after finishing out her school year in Minneapolis, Iona relocated to Santa Maria. She and Robert were married that August in a small and simple home ceremony in Santa Barbara attended by family. A celebration dinner followed at the Biltmore Hotel in Montecito, after which the couple left on their honeymoon to Catalina Island[10].
Upon their return to Santa Maria, Robert returned to work as superintendent and Iona made their home on East Orange St[11]. During these first several years as a newlywed, Iona quickly settled in and remained busy in her new community. She rekindled her earlier involvement with the Campfire Girls by becoming an active Campfire Guardian[12]. She also joined a local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star along with Robert[13] and gave her time to be a poll worker for local polling sites[14].
Iona and Robert moved somewhat frequently in the following years, living on E Hermosa St by 1934[15], East Camino Colegio by 1938[16], and finally settling on Palm Court Dr in 1941[17] [18]. By this time, they had also started to grow their family. A daughter, JoAnn, was born in 1936[19], while their son, Robert Bruce Jr., was born in 1942[20]. Iona’s parents also joined them in Santa Maria periodically, splitting their time between California and Minnesota[21].
As the years continued and the children grew older, Iona kept busy with her own activities[22] [23] as well as those of her family[24] [25] [26] and the demands of being a parent[27] [28]. Among other social and school activities[29] [30], her daughter, JoAnn, took after her mother and became a Campfire Girl[31]. In addition to his own social and school activities[32] [33], Robert Jr. also rose through the Boy Scouts[34] and participated in various sports[35] [36].
Robert Sr. kept busy with various community organizations, such as Rotary[37], while his career required him, and at times Iona, to be very active in the local school system[38] [39] [40]. In 1955, his long time work was honored by having a newly built school named after him: Robert Bruce Elementary School on E Alvin Ave[41]. He retired only a few years later in 1958[42].
The children both eventually married, JoAnn in 1958[43] and Robert Jr. in 1976[44], and they both relocated to be near their father’s side of the family in Chico[1]. Robert Sr. passed away shortly thereafter in 1978[45].
Iona remained active in the Order of the Eastern Star[46], and her participation in volunteering her time with the Methodist Church[47] increased as she got older. In 1989, she moved to Chico to be closer to family[1] and no doubt spent much time surrounded by her grandchildren and great children during her years there.
Iona passed away in 2003 only a few weeks away from her 102nd birthday[1].
Then vs. Now
Minneapolis MN
According to a Minneapolis City Directory, Iona lived at this address in 1930 while she was teaching at a nearby school. The structure currently at this address appears to be the same home. Built in 1927, the house is listed as a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath single family home. (realtor.com)
Minneapolis MN
A public school in Minneapolis, Morris Park School was located at 3810 E 56th St. Originally built in 1927, the school was demolished and rebuilt from 1939 to 1940 and an addition built in 1953. The school closed in 2007 and the building subsequently sold in 2009 [48]. Now, the building houses the Cyber Village Academy, a K-12 private school that offers a hybrid online and in-person curriculum [49].
Santa Maria CA
Iona and Robert made their first home as a newlywed couple on East Orange St near the center of town. The current home at this address was built in 1930 and is likely the same home: a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with one car garage. (realtor.com)
Santa Maria CA
Iona and Robert lived briefly on East Hermosa St before moving on to their next home. The current home at this address appears to be the same home. Built in 1927, the house is listed as a 2 bedroom, 1 bath single family home. (realtor.com)
Santa Maria CA
The home that Iona and Robert moved into by 1938 was on East Camino Colegio. The same home appears to exist today. The 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home was built in 1932. (realtor.com)
Santa Maria CA
Iona and Bruce finally settled on Palm Court Dr, just off Broadway near Santa Maria High School, into a home that was big enough for their growing family. The house currently at their address was built in 1934 with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. (realtor.com)
Citations
[1] Iona Ruth (Frye) Bruce Obituary. Santa Maria Times, 11 June 2008, pg A8
[2] 1900 U.S. Census, population schedule, Osakis Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, Enumeration District [ED] 47, sheet 14, dwelling 257, family 277, Louis Hanson household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T623, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 23 September 2024).
[3] Author’s Note: A family member has already researched and traced this side of Iona’s family back several generations to the early 18th century through Ancestry.com. I was not able to go farther back than this to verify where the family may have originally immigrated from.
[4] Osakis High School, The Osaka, 1922 (Osakis, Minnesota)
[5] St. Cloud Teacher’s College, The Talahi, 1925, vol 3 (St. Cloud, Minnesota)
[6] University Archives: St. Cloud State Names, St. Cloud State University, online <https://www.stcloudstate.edu/library/archives/histories/structure/names.aspx>, accessed 19 September 2024.
[7] 1930 City Directory, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Minneapolis Directory Company, pg 281, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com(accessed 24 September 2024).
[8] 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Enumeration District [ED] 27-233, sheet 36A, dwelling 585, family 607, Orville T. Sawyer household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T626, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 24 September 2024).
[9] City Briefs. Santa Maria Daily Times, 28 July 1928, pg 5
[10] “Miss Iona Frye is Bride of Robert Bruce at Service Performed in Santa Barbara.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 14 August 1930, pg 5
[11] 1930-1932 Voter Registration, Santa Maria Precinct No. 17, Santa Barbara County, California, California State Library microfilm publication, roll 003, pg 866, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 24 September 2024).
[12] “Officials of Campfire Meet.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 7 January 1932, pg 3
[13] “Eastern Star Will Install Thursday.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 13 December 1933, pg 3
[14] “All is Ready for Balloting in Santa Maria”. Santa Maria Daily Times, 11 November 1934, pg 1
[15] 1934-1936 Voter Registration, Santa Maria No. 3, Santa Barbara County, California, California State Library microfilm publication, roll 004, pg 646, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 24 September 2024).
[16] 1938 City Directory, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California, A to Z Directory Publishers, pg 26, digital image, Ancestry.com, "http://www.ancestry.com(accessed 24 September 2024).
[17] “Capt. Jones to Join Air Corps for Service.” Santa Maria Times, 6 January 1941, pg 1
[18] “Robt. A. Bruces Given Party in New Home.” Santa Maria Times, 10 February 1941, pg 3
[19] “Eleven Births Recorded Here.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 19 June 1937, pg 3
[20] “First Son Born to Robert A. Bruces.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 23 April 1942, pg 3
[21] “Return Home.” Santa Maria Times, 12 May 1947, pg 3
[22] “Adam Home Scene of Luncheon and Bridge Party.” Santa Maria Times, 3 October 1941, pg 3
[23] “Women Study Ways to Lower Food Costs.” Santa Maria Times, 17 December 1941, pg 3
[24] “New Home Brings Housewarming Party.” Santa Maria Times, 1 April 1940, pg 3
[25] “Bruces to Drive to Minnesota.” Santa Maria Times, 18 June 1940, pg 3
[26] “Robert A. Bruces Dinner Hosts.” Santa Maria Times, 11 October 1941, pg 3
[27] “Bruces Give Party for Young Daughter.” Santa Maria Times, 10 June 1941, pg 3
[28] “Undergoes Tonsillectomy.” Santa Maria Times, 21 March 1946, pg 3
[29] “Diana Nelson, 9 Years Old, Hostess at Party.” Santa Maria Times, 17 July 1945, pg 3
[30] “Miller Street School Pupils Present Outstanding Program.” Santa Maria Times, 28 April 1949, pg 7
[31] “Campfire Meeting.” Santa Maria Times, 18 September 1946, pg 5
[32] “Miller Street School Pupils Present Outstanding Program.” Santa Maria Times, 28 April 1949, pg 7
[33] “Charles Hall and Jim Beaver are Party Honorees.” Santa Maria Times, 2 March 1955, pg 3
[34] “Troop 79 Works on Tenderfoot Requirements.” Santa Maria Times, 31 December 1954, pg 8
[35] “Large Crowd Participates in July 4th Program.” Santa Maria Times, 5 July 1950, pg 2
[36] “Saintlets Crush Atasco Greypups by 52-7 Count.” Santa Maria Times, 26 October 1957, pg 5
[37] “Past Presidents Stage Program.” Santa Maria Times, 14 January 1941, pg 2
[38] “Musical Tea to Entertain Teachers.” Santa Maria Times, 31 August 1940, pg 3
[39] “Teachers Are Guests on Eve of New School Term.” Santa Maria Times, 3 September 1940, pg 3
[40] “Annual Dinner of Teachers Tonight.” Santa Maria Times, 21 November 1946, pg 2
[41] “Dedicate City’s New School to Supt. Bruce.” Santa Maria Times, 5 February 1955, pg 8
[42] “Schools Chief Bruce Resigns.” Santa Maria Times, 13 November 1958, pg 1
[43] Joann Zitlaw Obituary. Santa Maria Times, 18 August 2022, pg A7
[44] California Marriage Index, 1960-1985. Microfiche. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Ancestry.com <http://www.ancestry.com> (accessed 1 October 2024)
[45] Robert A. Bruce Obituary. Santa Maria Times, 13 October 1978, pg 13
[46] “Mizpah Chapter Extends Honors to “The Esthers.” Santa Maria Times, 18 February 1965, pg 4
[47] “Methodists Lay Rally Day Plans.” Santa Maria Times, 16 September 1950, pg 3
[48] Minneapolis Public Schools History: Morris Park, Minneapolis Public Schools, online <https://mpshistory.mpls.k12.mn.us/morris_park>, accessed 23 September 2024
[49] Cyber Village Academy, online <https://www.cybervillageacademy.org>, accessed 23 September 2024
Notes
Illustrations on this site are not actual representations of the individuals written about, their homes, or anything else factual.
Exact addresses are not included for any place that appears to be, or could potentially be, in current use as a personal residence.
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