Bruce Douglas Hitchen, 70, of Las Vegas, NV, formerly of Keokuk, Died Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at the Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas. He was born on October 15, 1944 in Fordville, ND, the son of Henry and Lilly Benson Hitchen. He first married Gwendolyn Phelps and she preceded him in death. On November 11, 1979, Bruce was united in marriage to Barbara Spring in Keokuk, IA. She survives. Other survivors include one son, Shannon Hitchen and his wife Jari of Seatle, WA, four stepchildren from his first marriage. Jill Jones-Kuca and husband Mark Kuca of Brandon, SD, Jodi McBeth and her husband Mike of Wentworth, SD, June Larson and her husband Alan of Melbourne, Australia and Julie Crawford of Sioux Falls, SD, three grandchildren, Zachary, Christopher and Nicola Hitchen, several step-grandchildren, one brother, Roy Hitchen and his wife Janet of Mojave, CA, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Harlan, Robert and William Hitchen and one sister, Betty Barusso. Bruce was a veteran of the United States Marines and served from 1961 – 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was of the Lutheran faith. He was a member of the American Legion, a board member of the HOA of the Spring Oak Village and a member of the AARP. He had been employed at Hy-Vee Bakery in Keokuk from 1977 – 1982. In 1982 He and Barbara moved to Las Vegas where he worked in the bakery at Smith's Food King for twenty years. He retired in 2006. Bruce was a very intelligent, logical man who had a memory like an elephant. He enjoyed gardening and took pride in his yard which was adorned with beautiful flowers, bushes and trees. He was known as "Mr. Fix-It" and always was working on one project or another. He also collected Post Cards and pennies for many years. Bruce was an avid reader and enjoyed books about travel, gardening, health and anything else he could get his hands on. He and Barbara were seasoned travelers, which included many cruises and enjoying trips in their camper and long-distance driving vacations. Above all else was Bruce's love for his family. He was a devoted husband, dad and grandpa who loved to spend time with his grandchildren and his cat, Sami. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with Pastor Rodney Underwood officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, IA Visitation will be held after 1 p.m. Sunday at the Vigen Memorial Home with the family meeting with friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 2775 Meadow Park Avenue, Henderson, NV 89052-7023 or the Nevada SPCA Animal Shelter, 4800 W. Dewey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89118.