Bruce Paul Vruwink

Bruce P. Vruwink, age 80, of Lake Lillian, passed away Saturday morning, May 10, at the GlenOaks Senior Living Campus.

A time to celebrate his life will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. A private interment service at Tripolis Lutheran Cemetery will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice or the Parkinson's Foundation. www.petersonbrothers.com

Bruce was born on February 16, 1945, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Paul and Pearl (Huisinga) Vruwink. He grew up on Spring Farm in rural Sacred Heart and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1963. Bruce continued his education at Willmar Community College, University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State and Moorhead State Universities; during this period, he was a member of the Minnesota National Guard. He began employment rigging boats for Mercury Motors Offshore Boat Racing Team. Upon returning to Minnesota, he became a small engine instructor at Faribault Vo-Tech School followed by work as the shop foreman at a marine business on Lake Minnetonka and later started a tree trimming business serving the metro area. After moving to the Lake Lillian area, Bruce became engaged in farming and the farm equipment industry. This evolved into Vruwink Equipment and later Tracks USA.

On August 14, 1970, Bruce was united in marriage to Kathyrn Rossetti. They lived in several Minnesota communities prior to building a home in Fahlun township, where they raised two children, Tony and Pam.

Bruce had a mechanical mind, an inquisitive nature, and an entrepreneurial spirit. From the time he was little, he was known to disassemble machines and motors just to see how they worked, often rebuilding them to an improved condition. Throughout his life, he pursued further knowledge. His strong work ethic and vision led to countless hours in the shop resulting in various innovative developments. Bruce enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, the out of doors, and hunting antiques. He was an avid reader, especially of war and western history.

He is survived by his two children, Tony (and Dana) Vruwink of Spicer and Pam Vruwink of Willmar; two grandchildren, Erin and Ryan; one sister, Joanne Vruwink of Minneapolis; and former wife, Kathy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.