OBITUARY

Bruce Wayne Reuter lived a life defined by love for his family, he possessed a truly unique and witty sense of humor, and an appreciation for the outdoors and the many hobbies they could provide. On May 25th, surrounded by his two children, he passed away at the age of sixty-nine, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to shape the lives of all who knew and loved him.

Born on July 18th in Hastings, Minnesota, to Thomas Charles and Margie Mae Reuter. From an early age, Bruce was known for his ability to “charm the room” whether it be his sly grin, a witty remark, or one of the many stories he told. He could befriend anyone from a CEO to a homeless person on the street, as long as he found them to be authentic. He never pretended to be anyone other than himself, shaggy hair, bib overalls, camouflage t-shirt, trucker hat, a love of classic rock, and simple living. He cherished family and his blue-collar roots, especially learning about our native ancestry. If you needed the last shirt on his back, he would be willing to give it to you as material possessions held little meaning to his life and he had a soft heart for those in need. He understood that the greatest wealth in life is time, not money. 

One of the greatest joys of Bruce’s life was the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, four-wheeling, bonfires, mushroom hunting, and pretty much anything you can do outdoors. Almost all free time he had was spent throughout Minnesota and our surrounding states enjoying the varied seasons. He had an unwavering love for the Minnesota Vikings, staying true to his Minnesota roots. 

Bruce is survived by his two children; Erin (Aaron) and Thomas (Christa) and his granddaughter Blake, with whom he had a special fondness for and loved watching her grow. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Jack. He was preceded in death by his siblings Tom, Rick, Gloria; both of his parents Thomas, Margie; his former wife Maureen Kochendorfer; and many other family members and friends. We know he was greeted by the long line of dogs he had had over his life; Spike (too many to count), Frosty, Brut, and his favorite dog of all, a chocolate lab Sam. 

Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we are grateful for the years, memories, and love we shared. Bruce’s story does not end here. It lives on in the traditions carried forward, the values passed to future generations, and the stories retold. We cannot express enough gratitude to the St. Mary’s and transplant teams at Mayo hospital in Rochester, MN. The care you provided throughout Dad’s journey was remarkable; your empathy and humane demeanor maintained his dignity as a unique person, and you saw the amazing qualities in him we all appreciated and loved and reminded him of how truly special he was. “Thank you” is not enough.

May the hunt provide a fruitful bounty, may the rivers flow eternally, and may the loved ones he had on this earth join him in eternal peace and happiness in heaven, together for some of the best celebrations they have experienced. Batman will live in our hearts forever.