Strandquist – Bruce Ole Johnson, 60, of Strandquist, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024 surrounded by his family and friends, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Bruce was born in Thief River Falls on January 21st. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He graduated from Lincoln High School (Thief River Falls) with the Class of 1982. He excelled in sports, and his favorite sports were cross country and hockey. Bruce was co-captain for cross country, and deemed most valuable runner, and won several awards.
After graduation, Bruce attended AVTI in Thief River
Falls for welding. In October 1983, after attending AVTI, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged September 23, 1986 as a specialist four. While serving in the Army he was in heavy equipment and construction road work.
In 1987 he moved to Oregon to work with his Uncle Raymond and Cousin Tom in road construction.
In 1997 he moved back to Minnesota to be with his parents. Shortly after, he met his soon to be wife, Marion Zavoral, in Goodrich. They married on May 19, 1999. On December 15, 1999
their son Eli Johnson was born.
They moved to Karlstad, and Bruce was employed with Motor Coach Industries in Pembina, ND. In 2003, Bruce began working at Rob
Anderson Construction in Newfolden. Bruce was forced to retire after 10 years due to a hunting accident. He was still able to help his son
Eli with cattle and haying. He also enjoyed ice fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Marion Johnson; son, Eli Johnson (Kendra), Strandquist; siblings, Michael (Leone) Johnson, Strandquist, Holly (Leonard) Hoy, Roosevelt; in-laws, Betty and Clayton Loiland; brothers-in-law, Steve (Jodie) Zavoral, Jeremy (Alison) Loiland and
Michael Loiland, all of Thief River Falls; nieces, Shanda, Ariel and Leah; nephews, Josh, Joe, Corey, Craig, Travis, Chaz, Tristan, Aidan,
and Jake; and numerous great-nephews and nieces. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Gladys Johnson; and sister, Christine; brother-in-law, Lester Stensrud; and his grandparents.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Hallock. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening, March 22, 2024, from 5–7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock. Rev. Andy Graves will be presiding; Erik Finney, soloist; Renee Wahl, organist. Honorary pallbearers will be Gage Skadsem, Michah Lubarski, Keith Schmiedeberg, Chad McDonald, Doug Henrickson and Darrell Westman.
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