Bruce Bondy, 66

Bruce Bondy, 66, of Thief River Falls, and formerly of Stephen, passed away at Sanford Hospital in Fargo on Saturday, May 11, following a massive heart attack. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed from this earth into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There was a celebration of a life well-lived on Friday, May 17th at First Lutheran Church in Stephen.
Bruce was an amazing man whose love of God and family made him a unique and inspiring presence of joy, and it is only fitting that Bruce was welcomed into heaven by his mother for Mother’s Day.
Bruce was born December 24, Christmas Eve, 1952 to loving parents Florence Myster Bondy and Gordon Kingdon Bondy. He lived in Drayton, ND with his big brother Dennis and cherished sister Carol.
In the summer of 1969, while attending Drayton High School, Bruce met the love of his life, Cynthia (Cindy) Clark. They were married on June 25, 1976, and made their home in Stephen. A family soon followed, and Bruce and Cindy raised their children, Geneva (Ginny) and Joshua, with love and devotion.
After graduating high school, Bruce earned his A&P and commercial pilot’s license at Dakota Aero Tech and was both mechanic and pilot at Dakota Aviation in Grafton, ND. After marriage, Cindy taught school while Bruce commuted to Drayton, ND to work at his family’s CARQUEST Auto Parts Store. He was an active member at First Lutheran Church, serving in many roles throughout the years. He also held a variety of positions in both the Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club.
For 33 years in Stephen, Bruce and Cindy made life-long friends and always considered it their home. In 2002, Bruce started employment at Arctic Cat (Textron) in Thief River Falls, where he made more friends and served a brand that he loved.
Bruce had a unique and genuine interest in other people, living life to the fullest, and a thirst for learning that was reflected in everything he did. With a penchant for making the old new again, Bruce loved restoring countless tractors, motorcycles, and cars. He had an affinity for John Deere tractors and shared that love with many people.  He enjoyed volunteering at the Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and Arctic Cat snowmobiles, fishing, hunting, cooking and gardening. Special memories were created at their farm, stories were shared in front of bonfires, explorations were had across the river and more good times were had in his restored green MG, on his ATV or in his Bumpa-mobile.
More than anything, however, Bruce enjoyed spending every opportunity he could with his family and sharing in their lives and interests. He showed us that a man could use his gifts to fix anything; from rebuilding a car engine, to making a five-star dinner with dessert, or calming a troubled mind with just a little creativity and ingenuity.
Bruce led his life with a quiet, calming presence, a patient nature, kindness towards all people and a twinkle in his eye. He mentored and inspired others by always doing the job the right way. He was a life-long learner who loved music, possessed a great sense of humor, and capped off his day’s accomplishments with a cool Miller High Life.
Who Bruce was and how he lived touched us all deeply and he will be extremely missed, forever.
Bruce is survived by the greatest loves of his life, his wife Cynthia; his daughter, Geneva (Paul) Noah, Fargo, ND; and his son, Josh (Lindsay), Plymouth; his precious grandchildren: Bergen, Gianna and Jude (Geneva and Paul), and Kingdon and Payton (Josh and Lindsay); Bruce is also survived by his sister, Carol Morrison, Northwood, ND; in-laws: Lilas Bondy, Thief River Falls, and Jami (Jeff) Nelson, Stephen; as well as his treasured nieces and nephews: Brett, Blair, Brad and Brian (Carol), Eric, Melissa and Mark (Lilas and Dennis), Megan and Chris Clark (Greg), Chelsey, Katie, Jessi and Laine Clark (Deb and Brad); Gannon and Moriah Nelson (Jami and Jeff); and many other cherished family members, friends and coworkers.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Florence Bondy; parents-in-law: James and Lois Clark; brother, Dennis Bondy; and brothers-in-law, Greg and Brad Clark.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Stephen.