Bruce L. Netland

Bruce Netland, 76, of Pennock, died Sunday, November 5, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

His funeral service will be 11:00 am Monday, November 13, at First Covenant Church in Willmar and will be streamed at https://subsplash.com/firstcovenantchurchofwil/media/mi/+xkhdmxg. Interment will be at Frank Lake Covenant Cemetery in rural Murdock. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 pm Sunday, November 12, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Frank Lake Covenant Cemetery or CentraCare Foundation-Heart and Vascular Center.

Bruce Lloyd Netland was born January 19, 1947, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Lloyd and Vernita (Wrigg) Netland. He grew up in the rural Sunburg community where he was baptized and confirmed at East Norway Lake Lutheran Church. He graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1964. Bruce then attended St. Cloud Technical College and Willmar Vo-Tech, graduating with degrees in drafting and mechanics.

On September 24, 1966, he married Merry Forsell at Frank Lake Covenant Church. They moved to Chaska, where Bruce worked as a draftsman for Donaldson Company. In 1972, they moved back to Willmar and started a family.  They made their home of 50 years on St. John’s Lake near Pennock. Bruce was an entrepreneur and operated several businesses over the years in the Willmar area, including Car Clinic, Surplus Warehouse, and Midwest Motors and Storage. He retired in 2016.

Bruce was a 51-year member of First Covenant Church in Willmar, where he established lifelong friendships. Through the years, he was active as an usher, greeter, and member of the investment committee. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club in Willmar.

The St John’s Lake neighbors and neighborhood played a key part of his life over the years. He enjoyed coordinating activities with his kids including waterskiing, three-wheeling and hunting. In recent years, he treasured watching the sunsets and wildlife.

Bruce also enjoyed walking and biking with Merry, and golfing with his friends, when he wasn’t wheeling and dealing boats, cars, and RV’s. Most of all he loved spending time with family. You could often find him cheering at swim meets or proudly wearing gear from his grandkids’ schools in support. In all that he did, Bruce led with God at the center of his life, was patient, and was loving and generous with his time and willingly shared his many talents with all those that he knew.

He is survived by his three children: Jason (Rachelle) Netland of St. Augusta, Benjamin (Nicole) Netland of Mahtomedi, and Angela (Andrew) Nelson of St. Augusta; six grandchildren: Lyndsey Netland, Lauryn Netland, Ella Netland, Walker Netland, Kierstyn Nelson, and Maren Nelson; three siblings: Galen Netland of Texas, Arlen Netland of Brooten, and Wayne (Denise) Netland of Pennock; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Merry in October 2022; his father: Lloyd Netland; his mother: Vernita Olson; his stepfather: Kermit Olson; and a brother: Larry Netland.

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