Bruce W. Gruenhagen

Obituary

Bruce William Gruenhagen was born on March 15, 1950, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  He was the son of Martin and Irene (Herrmann) Gruenhagen. Bruce was baptized as an infant on April 7, 1950, by Rev. E. F. Menger at Church of Peace in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 22, 1964, by Rev. Vriesen at St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church in Hamburg, Minnesota.  He received his education in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, graduating with the Central High School Class of 1968.  Bruce furthered his education by attending DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois.  

After graduating, Bruce began working in the telecommunication industry which led him to many different places in the United States and around the world.  He worked for Nortel Communications as a program manager.  Then in 2006, he started working as a postal carrier for the United States Postal Service.  Bruce was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church in Hamburg, where he served as an elder, sang in the choir, was a member of the Brotherhood and a valued dartball organizer and player.  He also was a member of the Hamburg Lions, where he served as President. 

For the past 11 years, Bruce loved going on mission trips to help others.  On one of his mission trips, he met Sarah Wernimont and was united in marriage to her on December 16, 2007, at Meadow Park Church of Christ in Rochester, Minnesota.  They made their home in Hamburg, Minnesota.  His life was blessed with two children, Derek and Lorelle and Sarah’s three children, David, Andrew and Peter.  Bruce and Sarah shared 9 years of marriage.

Bruce was a compassionate man who always had a smile for others.  He enjoyed gardening, reading, sports and tinkering around.  For Bruce, family was first and he loved spending time with them and if you ever spoke of a grandchild, a special smile accompanied the conversation. 

Bruce passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at his home in Hamburg, Minnesota, at the age of 66 years, 11 months and 26 days.  Blessed be his memory.

Bruce is survived by his:
Wife, Sarah Gruenhagen of Hamburg, MN;
Son, Derek Gruenhagen and his wife, Luz, of Tampa, FL;
Daughter, Lorelle Torkewitz and her husband, Bill, of Durham, NC;
Step Sons, David Wernimont and his wife, Suzy, of Byron, MN,
Andrew Wernimont and his wife, Jessica, of Rochester, MN,
Peter Wernimont and his wife, Andrea, of Lovington, NM;
Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law, Marion and Joan Cain of Huron, SD;
Grandchild, Rowan Gruenhagen;
Step Grandchildren, Molly Wernimont, Daniel Wernimont, Brielle Wernimont, Micah Wernimont, Emersyn Wernimont;
Brother, Robert Gruenhagen and his wife, Brenda, of New Ulm, MN;
Sister, Debbie Goetze and her husband, Craig, of Hamburg, MN;
Brothers-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, John Cain and his wife, Peggy, of Huron, SD,
Ann Boyd and her husband, Steve, of Huron, SD;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Bruce is preceded in death by his Parents, Martin and Irene Gruenhagen.