Service Information
Bruce J. Berry, age 77, of Cosmos, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by his whole family.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 1:00 A.M. at the Lake Marion Cabin at 11696 Sunset Circle in rural Hutchinson. Anyone wanting to share a thought or memory can do so at that time. Lunch will follow.
Obituary
Bruce John Berry was born on July 11, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Robert and Dorothy (Baasel) Berry. The family moved to Northern Minnesota when he was 7 and he graduated from Crosby Ironton High School in 1961 and went on to attend the University of Minnesota obtaining an AS Degree in mathematics and history.
Bruce was united in marriage to his wife Elaine (Leusink) on September 18, 1965, recently celebrating 55 years of wedded bliss. Their union was blessed with three children, Dawn, Colleen and Aaron. Bruce had a strong work ethic and enlisted in the Army in August of 1965 during the Vietnam war. Upon discharge, moved to Cosmos to work for his father at the Cosmos Ready Mix in 1968. When the Ready Mix plant was sold, he began his career of driving 18-wheeler over the road. Bruce drove as an owner operator until the age of 75.
Bruce had a gift of laughter with a dry sense of humor and loved making fun of his kids the most. His passion was his family especially his grandkids.
He grew up living on or near the water his whole life. Either living or a family cabin. The cabin south of Hutchinson on Lake Marion has been part of our summers since 1976. He spent every day of the summer there since retiring, it was his happy place.
Bruce is survived by his:
Loving Wife, Elaine Berry of Cosmos, MN;
Children, Dawn Stahl of Blomkest, MN,
Colleen Woods and her husband, Bill, of Glencoe, MN,
Aaron Berry and his wife, Tracy, of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Samantha (James) Roepke, Jackie (Kyrstin) Goldschmidt, Emily Woods, Brodie Woods, Bailey Stahl, and Eli Berry;
Great Grandchildren, Milo and Zoey Roepke;
Special Family Members, James, Anita, Devon and Dawson McCarthy;
Brother, Bob Berry and his wife, Nancy, of Olivia, MN;
Brother-In-Law, John Leusink and Elbertha Diehls;
Many other relatives and friends.
Bruce is preceded in death by his Parents, Robert and Dorothy Berry; Brother, Brian Berry in infancy; and Son-In-Law, Kim Stahl in 2017.
Karen Hoffmann says
Elaine & family,
Sending our sympathy & remembering all of you in our thoughts & prayers. Cherish all the wonderful memories & hold them close to your hearts. May you find strength & comfort from the memories, your faith & the love of family & friends. May God Bless all of you & his memory!
Karen & Larry Hoffmann
Marvel Blom says
So sorry to learn of Bruces’ passing. I am sending a huge hug to you–(wish it could be in person). Always enjoyed talking with Bruce and he had the nicest smile. A very caring man. Our sympathy to you and your family, Elaine. May God wrap you in His loving arms and console you.
Riana and Kyle Klaustermeier says
Aaron and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Joanne Novak Pickar says
Bruce and I both lived near Emily Mn and went to school at Emily Elementary and then Crosby-Ironton High School, him one year ahead of me.
My sympathies to Bruce’s family. May God wrap you all in his comforting arms and give you peace.
Beth Higgin says
Elaine and family. On behalf of the Higgin family, our sympathies to you in the loss if your husband and father, Bruce. As former neighbors in Cosmos, we remember him and you as great friends of our parents.. May God bless and comfort you always.
Clayton says
I worked with him at the ready mix in cosmos .Always a happy person willing to take the time to take the time to talk a d share .I am sorry for your loss .Rest in peace
Matt James Stimac says
R.I. P. Bruce you were a good classmate and you will be missed.
Cathy Mahon says
My sincere sympathy to all of you during this difficult time.
Joy says
You are in our thoughts and prayers. So glad that you had the chance to say your goodbyes, and surround him with your families love. May the Memories comfort you. May he Rest In Peace till the Kingdom comes and all can meet again. The Tom and Joy Housman Families.
Julie and Randy Koehler says
Again, our deepest sympathy. He will be missed by so many. I remember when he stopped by on his way to a class reunion and spent the night at our house. It’s probably been 5 years since we saw you all at your 50th wedding anniversary. We will try to come to his memorial service if we find out when it will be. You are all in our hearts and prayers.
Sharon Maresch says
My deepest sympathy to the family and god bless you all.
Carol and Jim says
I just don’t really know what to say. Bruce died on my birthday and I reading birthday comments. All of a sudden I saw the beautiful notice from his children I couldn’t believe what I read. Bruce, how could you leave us one my birthday? How could you leave us at all! I am so terribly. Sad. Jim and had promised ourselves that we were going to get together with you and Elaine in the New Year. I know we said that so many times. Bruce was such a wonderful man and a very good even we hardly saw him after we moved. The first thing Jay said when we told him that Bruce had had died was how he remembered how Bruce coming to the intersection and m the way to Wilmer. He had a full cement truck. We got the green light, but when I saw that cement I knew it wouldn’t be able to stop so luckily I didn’t move and that heavy cement truck made it through that intersection safely. I didn’t realize it was Bruce, but he recognized us. When he told me about it later, he was still so upset he could hardly talk. God was with Bruce, me, Jay and Mike at that moment on the intersection and I always felt a special bond with Bruce because God loved us all at that moment.in the intersection. I know I will see Bruce again. He and Elaine were such wonderful people. Elaine, my heart is broken, and I have been praying for you and your family now. At least one of the “Berry “ kids even sent me a birthday wish that day. Colleen, I’m sure it was you??. A short while later I read what you all wrote about your wonderful Dad. I was completely shocked and heartbroken. I love all you guys. You are all so beautiful inside and out, and you have beautiful parents still. Your Dad is still with all of us. You will feel his loving spirit beside you when you least expect it and you will know it is him. I know this from my own experience with my Mom, Dad, Sister-in-law and my still born granddaughter who just turned 13. To all of Bruce’s loved ones, we are praying for you to feel comfort, strength and love. Cherish those great memories I saw in your video and the love and craziness your Dad left with you. Hugs and love from Jim and Carol????
Miriam Borth says
Elaine & family,
So sorry to hear about Bruce.?
Sending my love, sympathy & prayers during this difficult time!???
Miriam
Mary& David Smith says
Dear Berry family, we are so sorry to hear about Bruce. Our love and sympathy are send your way at this very sad time. We will keep you all in our prayers!!???
Sue Voght says
Rest In Peace, Bruce.
I remember your family fondly from the 60’s.
LeRoy Dittbenner says
Well, after googling Bob Berry, I receives Bruce Berrys Obituary.
I’d met the parents and Bruce once in the real late 60’s.
Me being an old acquaintance and past husband of Peggy’s; she has past on last December too. Peg knew Bob’s past wife Linda. We where band groupies from Lexington, MN.
Bob, would name address me as: “Govie.”
Great sorrow and quietness surrounds us when loved ones leave. On a forever stay with our leader Jesus Christ. Who honestly loves us, this we know, the bible tells us so!
Amen
LeRoy Dittbenner says
Well, I Googled Bob Berrys name and receives Bruce Berrys Obituary.
Saddened and joied to read life’s road has turned to the spirits God. Where Jesus Christ takes us in hand for a walk to the garden kingdom full of singing angels. Aleluia! Aleluia!
P.s.
Bob,may/may not remember his old band groupie acquaintances. My late x-wife Peggy and her friend Linda. Although, we had met Bob’s parents and Bruce once before returning from Cosmos to Lexington, MN.
Circa 1969-70