Kenneth R. Bruce

Kenneth Russell Bruce

June 14, 1950 - January 2, 2023 (age 72)

Kenneth Russell Bruce, longtime resident of Tower, MN died peacefully at his home on January 2, 2023 at the age of 72.

Ken was born June 14, 1950 in Chicago, IL to Russell “Bud” and Marcella (Litwicki) Bruce. He attended James Monroe Elementary School and Lane Technical High School in Chicago. He never earned a degree, though he was a lifelong learner attending numerous seminars, classes and vocational training courses. 

Ken moved to Tower, MN in 1972 with his parents and sister, Karen, where they bought the Tower Soudan IGA grocery store and operated it for many years. He grew up around and worked in the grocery industry for much of his life including these area stores: Jors IGA, Iron IGA, Festival Foods, and Super One. He also worked in multiple roles for several Virginia, MN businesses including Godfather’s Pizza/Kentucky Fried Chicken, Only Deals, and Target.

Ken met the love of his life, JeriLynn Horntvedt, who had moved to teach at the Tower-Soudan School in 1971. They were married on June 22, 1974 at Wabanica Lutheran Church, Baudette, MN. They lived in a cabin on Isle of Pines in the summers and served as caretakers for Westhaven Lodge in the winters, before building a permanent home on the island in 1999.

Ken was a “Renaissance Man”. He was an avid reader of nonfiction, studying history, astronomy, meteorology, politics, environmental studies and anything else that sparked his interest. He enjoyed model railroading, whitefish netting, gardening, cooking, and canning his own vegetables. He tapped maple trees and produced his own syrup, smoked meats and fish, and made cheeses and sausages which he generously shared with others.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, JeriLynn (2019); parents, Russell (1985) and Marcella (1980) Bruce; sister, Karen Pecha (2015); brother-in-law, Tony Pecha (2021); and many beloved Border Collies: Lars, Muffins, Duchess, Lady, Lena, and Signe.

Ken is survived by an aunt, Delores Bruce Teplar of Henderson, NV; sister-in-law, Lois (George) Widman of Crookston, MN; brother-in-law, Ken (Jody) Horntvedt of Baudette, MN; four nieces and nephews, several cousins, and his Border Collie, Inga.

A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour prior at the Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. Burial will be at the Lakeview Cemetery, Tower, MN. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, Tower, MN. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth R. Bruce, please visit our floral store.