Bruce Harjes, 89, Crosslake, Minn., died May 13, 2017, at home, after a short battle with cancer. He was born May 27, 1927, in Portland, Ore., to the late Martha and Fredrick Harjes. His family moved to the Nisswa, Minn., area where he resided with them throughout his early years.
He married Deloris M. Holsapple of Nisswa, Minn., on Dec. 31, 1954. Together they raised four children while living in Burlington, where Bruce proudly worked for the American Motors Corporation (AMC) at its Proving Ground facility where he was a test driver for many years. In 1988, Bruce retired early at the young age of 61, and he and Deloris moved back to Nisswa where they had built a retirement home.
They enjoyed being back near their families and had many happy years in their new home there. Sadly, his wife died on April 13, 2000, from Parkinson’s disease.
Bruce received the gift of a second chapter of life when he met Charlotte Curtis of Crosslake, Minn. He and Charlotte spent many years together traveling to various places, including an RV trip to Alaska, as well as many trips to enjoy their Bluegrass music and to visit friends and family.
Bruce was, to his family, a husband and father who always worked hard and provided well for his family. He taught them to have a strong work ethic and to live a responsible life. He loved to meet new people and to get to know their stories. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and he amassed a wide circle of friends throughout his lifetime. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his sons, Dan (Peggy), Olathe, Kan., Joel, Nisswa, Minn., Glenn (Donna), Burlington; daughter, Karen (Mike) Cheslak, Duluth, Minn.; special companion, Charlotte Curtis and her family, Crosslake, Minn.; brothers, Howard (Shirley) Harjes, Mt. Vernon, Wash., Jerry (Donna) Harjes, St. Cloud, Minn., and David (Gloria) Harjes, Carson City, Nev.; sister, Mary (Jerry) Bohn, Redlands, Calif.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was further preceded in death by his sister, Louise Sykora.
A graveside service will be held for his immediate family on May 27, which would have been his 90th birthday. Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.klinefuneralhome.com.
-
-
-
-
-