Bruce Kroetch Obituary

Bruce Martin Kroetch was born in Oakland, CA on January 19, 1953 to Arthur and Eleanor (Johnson) Kroetch. He grew up in Philip, SD and graduated from Philip High School in 1971. On September 7, 1974 Bruce was united in marriage with Linda (Wilson). They welcomed 3 children Ross in 1975, Julie in 1978, and Lisa in 1981.

In the early years of their marriage, Bruce drove truck for Scotchman Industries. In 1982 he was able to fulfill a dream of opening a hardware store, Bad River Supply. After the store closed in 1987, Bruce worked a short time for Philip Motor before returning to Scotchman as manager of the saw division, moving into customer service and then completed the circle by driving Scotchman’s truck until his retirement.

Throughout the years Bruce was known for his volunteer heart. He was involved in over 20 organizations on local, state, regional, and national levels. His drive to help others was second nature. If you didn’t find him lending a hand, you could find him on the golf course, going to auctions, riding his motorcycle, loading scrap iron, building trailers, fixing golf carts, or being with the guys having a coffee break or going to anger management.

Grateful for having shared his life with his wife Linda; his son Ross (Heidi) Kroetch of Fargo, ND; his two daughters, Julie (Steve) Daly of Midland, SD, and Lisa (Andrew) Kunz of Sioux Falls, SD; 10 grandchildren, Bailey Carpenter, Ellie, Alex, and Parker Kroetch, Carson and Dane Daly, Joseph, Claire, Andrew, and Henry Kunz; his mother Eleanor; brother Jerry (Karen); sisters, Mary (Rick), Barb (Gerry), Sharon (Mike), and Carol (Dan); sister-in-law Karla; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Art and brother Steve.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, with a rosary prayer service starting at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, SD.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip, SD.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Haakon County Prairie Transportation. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 482, Philip, SD 57567.

Service Details

VISITATION
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Brittney Drury - Cantor
Marianne Frein - Accompanist
“Gather Your People” #313
“Here I Am Lord” #378
“Table of Plenty” #310
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” #526

GIFT BEARERS
Carson Daly - Dane Daly

USHERS
Brant Sundall - Jim Sandstrom

ALTAR SERVERS
Pat Seager - Brandy Seager

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Ray Smith - Toby Kroetch

READER
Rick Palecek

PALLBEARERS
Danny Howland - Drew Howland - Tyler Wilson
Patrick Wilson - Alan Rislov - Josh Kroetch

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Julie and Family; my heart goes out to you all. So many childhood memories hanging g out together and your dad making sure we behaved. God brought you to this he will get you through it. Prayers for all.
~ Crystal (Swift) Bruinsma Corsica SD (9/8/2019)

Thoughts and prayers are with you Linda, Ross, Julie, Lisa and all the Kroetch family. We are so sorry. May God wrap his arms around you all. Heaven gained a great guy!
~ Rick & Nancy Ehrhardt Brandon SD (9/10/2019)

Linda and family,
We are so sorry to hear this news. Our condolences. We will miss Bruce greatly
~ Cathy and Joe Leichtnam Rapid City, SD (9/9/2019)

AZ
~ Rebecca Formanek Prescott (9/9/2019)

Bruce was a genuine, kind and generous man. Please accept our sincere condolences.
~ Mike & Lori Seager Philip (9/10/2019)

Linda & Families, You all have our Sincerest Thoughts & Prayers. The Lord has a place for Bruce in Heaven; He is at Total Peace Forever. May God Bless You All, Kathy & Jerry
~ Jerry & Kathy S. Noteboom Lead, S.Dakota (9/8/2019)

To Linda and family, Eleanor, my aunt, and all my cousins.
So sorry and sad to hear about the passing of Bruce. I am sure he had a big heart and he gave his all to those he loved. He will be surely missed by oh so many.
The miles may have separated us but the memories are always there. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
God delivered and heaven returned. God Bless You all each and everyday. Bruce, Rest In Glorious Peace now, my cousin.
~ Danny and Rita Walker Bonney Lake, Washington (9/9/2019)

Sorry to hear about Bruce he was a great spokesperson in the RC&D organization. Prayers go out to the family.
~ Jewell Bork Okaton,SD (9/9/2019)

So sorry
~ Ruthann Chuck Carstensen Philip (9/8/2019)

Linda I am so sorry for your loss. I just saw it on Facebook and it is Wednesday night so I've missed the funeral. I know he has been sick for a long time and is now at peace in God's hands. But, that doesn't make it easy for you. May God take good care of you and find peace with your family. Love, Colleen
~ Colleen Marvin Rapid City (9/12/2019)

Bless the family and friends of Bruce, Praying for comfort at this trying time.
[Jhn 5:24 KJV] 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
~ Vicky Doerfler Fargo, ND (9/11/2019)

Linda and family,
SO sorry to hear of the passing of Bruce. What a great guy. I remember how kind and fun he was to all the Seneschal ladies when he drove the bus for Saturday night mass. Always had a wonderful smile and something funny to say. It has been a long difficult journey. He is flying high and enjoying being with his Dad and Steve. God be with you during this difficult time.
~ Theresa Pekron Arvada, CO (9/9/2019)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Linda,your children, Elenore,and Bruce's brother and Sisters God has helped you get this far
And he will get you through this. I just went through this my self and am leaning hard on God now. It is hard to let them go but you know they will be in a better place now.
S
~ Evelyn Rowcliffe Heide Philip (9/9/2019)

Linda and families, We are saddened to hear of Bruce passing away, but we all know that he is in a better place. Hold on to all the memories, we remember many years ago whenever a person asked him how he was doing: he always said " Excellent". We so enjoyed all the trips to NMB conventions, lots of good times. Linda, you are an angel to be there with Bruce every single day through it all. God Bless You.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/8/2019)

Our deepest sympathy to the family. We know how much Bruce will be missed. May he rest in peace now where there is no more sickness or pain. You will see him again one day. Sending prayers that God will help you through the days ahead.
~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland (9/9/2019)

Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (9/8/2019)

So sorry
~ Melody Carstensen Kelly Black Hauk (9/8/2019)

Linda and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Bruce will truly be missed.
~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (9/9/2019)