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Bruce R. Crosby

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Service Information

Bruce R. Crosby, age 76, husband of Anita, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at his home.

Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, with interment held at a later date in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.

Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from Noon to 2:00 P.M prior to the service at the church.

Visitation/Gathering
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
800 Bluff Street NE
Hutchinson, MN
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Service
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
800 Bluff Street NE
Hutchinson, MN
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Funeral Chapel
Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel
899 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone:(320) 587-2128
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Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery
805 Hwy 15 South
Hutchinson, MN
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Obituary

Bruce Roger Crosby 76, was born on February 6, 1946, to Russel and Dorothy Jean (Liebsch) Crosby in Appleton, Minnesota, during a huge snowstorm. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran church in Appleton, and confirmed in his faith at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in Glencoe in 1964. He spent two years at Rochester Junior College in Rochester, Minnesota, before he transferred to University of Wisconsin, Stout, at Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he graduated with a Computer Technology degree in 1969, and met future wife, Anita Kreutzer on a blind date just three months before going on active duty in the Navy at North Island, Coronado, near San Diego, California, in 1969. He was honorably discharged in 1971. As a Navy Seaman, he was a technician on airplane simulators for pilots learning to land on carriers. Bruce often joked that both he and his brother, Dennis, who was stationed in Arizona fixing airplanes, were never on-board ship, while their father, a Navy motor machinist mate in WWII spent from 1942-1945 on board a US subchaser in the Atlantic.

Bruce and Anita were married October 7, 1972, at Little Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Menomonie. They are the parents of Jeremy Crosby and Jonathan ‘Chuck’ Crosby, grandparents of Tyler Crosby and Abbie Crosby, and great-parents of Shane Joel Weir.

Bruce worked at HTI (Hutchinson Technology) from 1971-1982, and at Heikes’ Factory Direct Furniture, Farm and Home Supply, and Fitzloff’s Hardware Hank before retiring in 2003.

He especially loved helping to organize, as a charter member, the Luce Line Railroad Club putting on train shows at the mall and the fairgrounds, and operating a club location at the mall. A personal model train layout has existed in their home basement since 1975.

He was a man who loved his family and close friends, but could not be comfortable in crowds. He especially enjoyed traveling with friends to Alaska, Hawaii, the east coast, the west coast, and through the Panama Canal. Each trip included wonderful train excursions. But coming home to his sons was his comfort. He was a wonderful father.

Bruce is survived by his:
Wife, Anita of 50 years;
Sons, Jeremy Crosby (Brandi Botzet),
Jonathan Crosby;
Grandchildren, Tyler Crosby and Abbie Crosby (Nick Weir);
Great-grandson, Shane Joel Weir;
Brother, Dennis and his wife, Kathie;
Nephew, Joe Crosby and his wife, Melissa;
Brother-in-law, Gerald Kreutzer;
Sisters-in-law, Judith Kreutzer and Marie Kreutzer;
Niece, Heidi Skaaland and her husband, Dan;
Nephews, Scott Kreutzer (Tana Turbes), Chad Kreutzer, Wyatt Kreutzer and his wife, Tracie, and Mitchell Kreutzer and his wife, Nicole;
Great nieces and nephews; cousins; friends; Luce Line Railroad Club family; and the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church congregation who have always been so kind.

Bruce was preceded in death by his Parents, Russel and Dorothy Jean Crosby; Parents-in-law, Harold and Lilia Kreutzer: Daughter-in-law, Stacy (Starrett) Crosby; Sister-in-law, Gloria Kreutzer; Brother-in-law, David Kreutzer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wayne Anderson says

    January 17, 2023 at 11:51 am

    Anita and Jonathan,
    So sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Praying for you in your time of loss.

    Reply
  2. Kathy Meggers says

    January 17, 2023 at 4:07 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss Mrs. Crosby. I was a student of yours back in the 70’s. (Kathy Klitzke “79”)

    Reply
  3. Marilyn Alsleben says

    January 17, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    So sorry for your husband Bruce’s passing Anita. Our prayers for you and your family.
    Arden and Marilyn Alsleben

    Reply
  4. Cindy Gasow says

    January 17, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    Mrs. Crosby so to hear of Bruce’s passing … from a former student of yours Cindy Opitz Gasow.

    Reply
  5. Val Roepke Uecker says

    January 17, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    My Sympathy to you. God will give you strength during this sad time.. Sending prayers for peace and contentment. God’s Blessings…..Val Roepke Uecker

    Reply
  6. Cindy S says

    January 17, 2023 at 5:02 pm

    So sorry to hear about Bruce! Our deepest sympathy our thoughts and prayers are with you all! You were always there for him may all the memories bring you comfort and peace!

    Reply
  7. Beth selle says

    January 17, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    Mrs. Crosby
    I am so very sorry about the loss of your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    The Selle family

    Reply
  8. Myrna says

    January 17, 2023 at 5:52 pm

    My sympathy goes out to you Mrs. Crosby. May God wrap you in His arms to comfort you and bring you peace. Myrna Knick Kuphal ’79

    Reply
  9. Sarah (Dressel)Ruder says

    January 17, 2023 at 9:03 pm

    Jeremy & family,
    Deepest sympathies to you & your family. Please let us know if there is anything you need.

    Reply
  10. Chris says

    January 17, 2023 at 9:14 pm

    I was your student in school I’m sorry lose your husband

    Reply
  11. Darla (Genz) Plevell says

    January 18, 2023 at 9:06 am

    My deepest condolences to you & your family. May God provide comfort during this difficult time.

    Reply
  12. Kim Schimmelpfennig says

    January 18, 2023 at 9:22 am

    Mrs. C so very sorry for the loss of your husband. Cherish the memories. Kim (Boelter) Schimmelpfennig Class of ’79.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer L Schmidt says

    January 18, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    Mrs. C.~ My condolences to you and family in the passing of Bruce. Sending prayers for comfort and peace. Jennifer Schmidt (BHS “87)

    Reply
  14. Kimblerly Helget says

    January 18, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    Anita and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Bruce. I enjoyed growing up next to you guys all those years ago. You guys have always been great to my mom after the passing of my dad. My mom would talk about the many conversations she would have with Bruce on the phone. Anita, you have such a great spirit of you and a calmness about you I pray it keeps you in a good place. I know the love of your family will get you though this most difficult time. Bruce has gone to a great place where no illness exists and he will always be with you.
    Your old neighborhood friend.

    Reply
  15. Jimmy & Nicolette Gardner and Family says

    January 18, 2023 at 6:08 pm

    All is Well
    Death is nothing at all,
    I have only slipped into the next room
    I am I and you are you
    Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
    Call me by my old familiar name,

    Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
    Put no difference in your tone,
    Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
    Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
    Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

    Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
    Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
    Life means all that it ever meant.
    It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
    Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

    I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
    Just around the corner.
    All is well.
    -Henry Scott Holland

    Reply
  16. Connie Timm says

    January 18, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    Sorry to hear about Bruce. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
    Connie

    Reply
  17. Louie and Ardeen Graupmann says

    January 18, 2023 at 7:57 pm

    Our sympathy, Anita. We were high school classmates of Bruce.
    Louie and Ardeen Graupmann

    Reply
  18. Brenda Scheele says

    January 19, 2023 at 7:39 am

    Jeremy and family…I am so sorry for your loss…thoughts and prayers to all of you.

    Reply
  19. Theresa Erickson says

    January 21, 2023 at 1:14 am

    Mrs. Crosby and family: My deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your husband and father. May your memories give you comfort and bring you peace. I see Bruce was born in Appleton, MN. That is only 8 miles from where I live (Milan). – Theresa (Brelje) Erickson, BHS Class of ’78

    Reply
  20. Andrea Koenig says

    January 21, 2023 at 11:15 am

    Anita~~~I am thinking about you during these difficult days. I pray all of your happy memories will bring you comfort.
    God Bless you and give you peace.

    Andy Koenig

    Reply
  21. Cheryl M says

    January 22, 2023 at 11:20 am

    Our deepest condolences to you Mrs. Crosby and to your family. Hugs to you!!
    Love from former Brownton students – Greg Bunke, Kevin Bunke and Cheryl (Bunke) Mallak

    Reply
  22. Gene & Joni Nachreiner- Fairfax, MN says

    January 22, 2023 at 6:09 pm

    Our deepest sympathy is with you and family!
    Although no words of sympathy can ease the loss you bear, but please find comfort knowing that others truly care!

    Reply
  23. Sherry K says

    January 23, 2023 at 12:09 am

    Mrs.Crosby-
    I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Deepest condolences to you & your family during this time.
    Keeping you all in my prayers.

    Sherry (former student)

    Reply
  24. Nathan Knaak says

    January 24, 2023 at 11:03 am

    Mrs. Crosby,

    I want to extend my deep condolences on the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of mourning.
    Your former student and Yearbook editor.
    Nathan K

    Reply
  25. Kathy Nordby says

    January 26, 2023 at 6:50 am

    Dear Mrs.Crosby, You have my sincere sympathy at the loss of your husband Bruce. May his memory comfort your sadness, and give you peace.
    Kathy Draeger Nordby
    Class of 76 BHS

    Reply
  26. Emily Heilman (Olesen) says

    January 26, 2023 at 9:10 am

    Anita and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Bruce. May his memories bring much comfort to you and yours.
    -Emily

    Reply
  27. Lisa McColley says

    February 8, 2023 at 11:16 pm

    Just seeing this sad news! Mrs. C so very sorry for the loss of your husband! You always spoke so highly of him and your boys. Prayers for peace!
    Lisa (Hoernemann) McColley
    McLeod West Class of 94

    Reply
  28. Barb Daffner says

    February 23, 2023 at 4:35 pm

    Anita
    Wally and I are so sorry for the loss of Bruce. He was such a great friend to Wally. We just heard about this today. We will be praying for you and your family!
    We love you all
    Wally and Barb Daffner

    Reply
  29. Mary Gonzales says

    March 22, 2023 at 2:33 am

    Anita and family, I am sorry to hear of the loss of Bruce. I always enjoyed working with both of you at CRECC. I remember the day I ran into him at the Christmas cookie sale at the church and it was my 1st time there and didn’t really know how it worked. As we were waiting for the doors to open he explained it all to me and told me next time to bring a bigger container, lol!
    May he Rest in Peace !

    Reply

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