Bruce Nelson

Bruce D. Nelson, 64, Detroit Lakes, died Saturday, February 6, 2016 at his residence surrounded by his family and under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Funeral Services for Bruce will be held Friday, February 12 at 1PM in First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes. Officiating will be Reverend David Peterson. Visitation will be held at David-Donehower Funeral Home from 4PM until 7PM with a 6:30PM Prayer Service. Visitation will also continue at the church one hour prior to services on Friday. Bruce Donald Nelson was born May 9, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN to Donald and Agnes (Adams) Nelson. He lived in Syracuse, NY, Nashville, TN and Minneapolis where he graduated from Wayzata High School in 1969. He furthered his education at Anoka Technical School in the early 1970's completing his education as an optician. Bruce started his career at St. Paul's Eye Clinic. He moved to Detroit Lakes in 1979 and began working at Dakota Clinic. On June 11, 1983, Bruce was united in marriage to Sue Schmidt in St. Paul. Bruce and Sue made their home in Detroit Lakes. He started working with Spenningsby Eye Clinic and later MeritCare Clinic until he purchased Pelican River Optical. For over 25 years Bruce owned and operated Pelican River Optical, building long lasting friendships in the process. Bruce was also very active throughout the lakes community. He was extremely involved at First Lutheran Church along with being a member of Ducks Unlimited, Detroit Lakes Lions Club and Rhinos. He enjoyed announcing Laker hockey games, teaching cooking classes through Community Education, coaching youth softball and distributing eye glasses on the mission trips he took with the Lions. He found each involvement very rewarding. Bruce also enjoyed the outdoors. He loved spending a day fishing, hunting, golfing or traveling. He especially enjoyed the trips to Disney World. During the summer you would often see Bruce "tooling" around in his Triumph Spitfire or spending time at the cabin on Devils Lake. His most important accomplishment in life was his family. We will all miss his zest for life, his giving nature and love for family and friends. Bruce will be remembered and missed by his wife Sue of Detroit Lakes, children: Nicole (Nick Herman) Nelson of Detroit Lakes, MN and John (Sara) Schmidt of Dayton, MN. Grandchildren: Tyeler (currently stationed overseas), Cristian, and ShaiAnne Schmidt of Dayton, MN. Siblings: Lonnie (Alan) Tourville of Maple Grove, MN; Michelle (Bob) Arndt of Shoreview, MN; Bill Bezenar of Maple Grove, MN; and Tony (Trixie) Bezenar of Anoka, MN along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes or Detroit Lakes Lions Club.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Service
Friday, February 12, 2016

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