Bruce Bjerkelund, 85, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson with interment in the church cemetery.
Clergy Officiating: Father Paul Wolf; Pianist: Bonnie Westmiller; Song Leader: Lucy Newcomb; Music Selection: “Be Not Afraid”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Amazing Grace”, “I Am The Bread Of Life”, “Song Of Farewell”, “How Great Thou Art”; Urn Bearers: David Bjerkelund; Military Honors: Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad Bruce L. Bjerkelund was born on November 11, 1938, in Minneapolis. He was the son of Leif and Alice (Reuteler) Bjerkelund. Bruce was baptized as an infant in St. Paul and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth in Minneapolis. He received his education in Columbia Heights and was a graduate of Columbia Heights High School class of 1956. Bruce furthered his education at International Correspondence School receiving an Industrial Engineering Degree.
Bruce entered active military service in the United States Air Force on August 2, 1957, in Minneapolis. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 1, 1961, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and achieved the rank of Airman First Class.
On September 28, 1963, Bruce was united in marriage to Sandra Stütelberg at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. This marriage was blessed with four children, Kristin, Lisa, David, Heather. Bruce and Sandra made their home in Hutchinson. They shared 60 years of marriage.
Bruce was employed as an industrial engineer at 3M for 32 years. He retired on January 1, 1997. After retiring, he held a few part time jobs including office person at Rutz Plumbing & Heating, clerk at Ace Hardware, and receiving clerk at Cash Wise. Bruce was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. He was also a member of Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion Post 96.
Bruce enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing. He loved going for long motorcycle rides on his Honda Gold Wing. In 2000, Bruce and Sandra went to Alaska on their motorcycle. He especially cherished time spent with his family, grandchildren and friends.
Blessed be his memory. Bruce is survived by his wife, Sandra Bjerkelund of Hutchinson; children, Lisa Siebert and her husband Kurt of Waconia, David Bjerkelund and his wife Raechle of Big Lake, Heather Johnson and her husband Scott of Alexandria; grandchildren, Alexandra Brown, Megan Siebert, Kenneth Siebert, Katelyn Siebert, Tristan (Emily) Johnson, Abigail Johnson, Isabelle Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Ramsi Bruening; son-in-law, Michael Brown and his wife Kim of Hastings; many other relatives and friends.
Bruce is preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin Brown; parents, Leif and Alice Bjerkelund; brother, Kenneth (Patricia) Bjerkelund.
Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com. http://www.hantge.com
