Bruce Boerner

Bruce Alan Boerner was born September 4, 1966 in Morris, MN to Harlan Franklin and Bernice Corrine (Thorstad) Boerner. Bruce was baptized at Kongsvinger Church in Donnelly, MN. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Alexandria, MN in 1985. Before graduating Bruce signed on with the United States Marine Corp where he was enlisted for six years. While in the Marines, he served several tours in the Pacific and also served in Desert Storm. Bruce was a Huey Crew Chief but over in Desert Storm he was a Cobra Plane Captain, as they only had Cobra Gun Ships. He made many good and life long friends. After his honorable discharge from the Marines he returned to the Holmes City, MN area. In 1998, unbeknownst to Bruce, he had just met the love of his life, Sara. On February 4, 2000 they were married in Las Vegas. Bruce so loved being married to Sara. Before getting married, Bruce and Sara took a road trip to Alaska in a 1972 GMC pickup, tenting and roughing it all the way down the Alcan highway. Sara said she ?knew after that trip, they could handle anything.? They loved to travel and Bruce loved to scuba dive, so their multiple vacations to Cozumal, Mexico gave many wonderful memories for them and many family members. Their most recent trip was to Akumal, Mexico. Bruce and Sara had their own trucking business; BS Boerner Trucking, Holmes City, MN. Bruce hauled grain, livestock and other commodities. Bruce loved his dogs, Slim and Tuco (Too Ko), two Australian Blue Heelers. Bruce was known as a ?Bruce of all Trades? - he could fix or build anything. He was a true history buff. He enjoyed hunting duck and deer, especially with his muzzleloader. He enjoyed playing Risk with his nieces and nephews, and listening to old country music with Dean. Bruce had a sharp intellect. Bruce was an extremely patient, kind and humble man who had an undeniable and unique wit. He was proud to be called ?hillfolk.? Bruce died on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at the age of forty-six years. He is survived by his wife, Sara, of Alexandria; sisters, Tamara Stoneburg (Dave) of Ashby, MN, Terry (Mark) Krenz of Bismarck, ND; brothers, Scott (Cathi) Boerner of St. Cloud, MN, and Thomas Boerner of Colorado; mother-in-law, Linda Miner of Kensington, MN, brothers and sisters-in-law; Michael (Kathy) Miner of Oak Grove, MN, LuWanna (Larry) Johnson of Alexandria, MN, DiAnn (Neil) Nelson of Coon Rapids, MN, Lee (Ann) Miner of East Bethel, MN; nieces and nephews, Joshua Stoneburg, Caitlin Krenz (Craig Nelson), Chloe Krenz, Olivia ?Floyd? Krenz, Anwen Teachout, Aaron Boerner, Derek Boerner, Grant Boerner, Kristopher (Jenica) Miner, Alison Miner, Ben (Diane) Miner, Jeff Nelson, Nick (Amanda) Stachowski, Ken (Katie) Stachowski, Jamie (Greg Chilton) Chenoweth; great nieces and nephews, Tyler and Jackson Miner, Blake Nelson, Madison Beaty and Sofia Chilton and best friend, Dean Kangas, of Kensington, MN. Bruce was preceded in death by parents, Harlan and Bernice Boerner; sister, Debra Ann Boerner; and brothers, Mark Boerner, Michael Boerner and Paul Boerner. Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warrior Project or Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at the Finnish Apostolic Cemetery in Moe Township. Reverend Denise Croskey and Padre Herb Gappa officiated. Honorary urn bearers were all of Bruce?s friends and family; (?You know who you are.?). Military Honors were provided by The American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 , Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235, and the Minnesota National Guard.