Bruce graduated from Windom High School in 1970. He then attended Southwest Minnesota State College for two years before transferring to the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1974, from the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program. Bruce completed his internship in 1975, and continued working at the Hamlin-Hansen Funeral Chapel in Moose Lake, Minnesota. In June of 1977, Bruce and his wife, Suzanne purchased the Johnson Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, Minnesota, from Robert Johnson. In December of 1993, they purchased of the Paul Funeral Chapels in Lester Prairie and Norwood Young America from Ken Paul. His interests include hunting, fishing, skiing, cooking and traveling. Bruce and Suzanne have two adult children who reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico.