Bruce Willard Tjaden, age 65, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2013, following a long, courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family, under the care of Red River Valley Hospice.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, December 20, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Frazee. Burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Frazee. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2013, at Furey Funeral Home in Frazee with a prayer service to take place at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Bruce was born September 20, 1948, in Redwood Falls, MN to Johann and Ruth (Block) Tjaden. He grew up with 15 siblings. The family made their home in Morton, MN, for a time, then moved around due to his father's construction job. Bruce graduated from high school in Willmar, MN in 1967. He moved to Detroit Lakes and worked for Swift Company until 1975. He then went to work for Snappy Sheet Metal where he worked for 34 years, retiring following losing a lung to lung cancer in 2006.
In 2002, Bruce met Linda Hendrickson. The couple married in 2003.
Bruce enjoyed playing and singing music, dancing, deer hunting, and for his whole life, had a love for horses. Following his retirement, Bruce built a street rod 1949 pickup, his "Cowboy Cadillac" which was his pride and joy. Bruce also enjoyed the time he spent with his children and grandchildren.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Linda of Detroit Lakes; 4 children: son, John (Maribel) Tjaden of FL., daughters, Melissa Tjaden of CO., Krista Tjaden of OK., and Sheri (James) Moe of Detroit Lakes; 4 grandsons: Joshua, Daniel, Austin and Allen; 6 granddaughters: Raelyn, Dezarae, Samantha, Aralyia, Aveia and Ariann; 4 step-children; 4 step grandchildren; 5 sisters; 6 brothers; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Bruce in death were his parents; 4 brothers and 1 sister.