Bruce Mervin Lenka, age 80 of Britt, died Sat. July 30 at his home. He was born on Sept. 28, 1935 in Cook to Froley and Mona (Balke) Lenka. Bruce grew up in the Cook area and the Hibbing area; and was a 1953 graduate of Cook High School. He married Vera Person on June 12, 1958 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing and they lived in Biwabik and Virginia. They moved to Lake Fourteen in 1995 and spent winters in Mesa, AZ. Bruce worked for 38 ½ years as a truck driver for Erie Mining Company, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the Hope Community Presbyterian Church of Virginia and its men's club, and was also a member of the United Steel Workers Union #4108.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 58 years: Vera; children: Robin Lenka of Coon Rapids and Shelley (Dennis) Keith of Virginia; granddaughters: Katie Alto and Allisen Keith (Trevor Nelson); great-grandsons: Jarron Alto and Izaiah Alto; siblings: Lois Finstad of Phoenix, Jerry Lenka of Virginia, and Sharon Lenka of Gilbert; his faithful canine companion: Lady Emma; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Beverly Minerich and Sandra Helf.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2016 in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Mary Pol will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Born: September 28, 1935 Place of Birth: Cook, MN Death: July 30, 2016 Place of Death: Britt, MN Occupation: Truck Driver for Erie Mining Co. Retiring in 1993 after 38 1/2 years of service. Organizations: Hope Community Presbyterian Church and its Men's Club Gathering Time for Family & Friends Friday August 5, 2016 , 10:30 a.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Memorial Service Friday August 5, 2016 , 11:00 a.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
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