Elmer Bruns

Elmer G. Bruns of Fargo, ND, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Elmer George Bruns was born May 25, 1934, on the Bruns farm, St. Kilian, MN, to John and Elizabeth (Burkard) Bruns, the youngest of ten children. In 1953, he graduated from Worthington, MN High School with the first “love of his life”, Janice Chukker. Elmer enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1954, where he proudly served on the aircraft carrier, USS Essex, earning both the China Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal during the Korean Conflict.

Elmer and Janice were united in marriage on June 23, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington. Upon leaving the service with the rank of Petty Officer M/M First Class in 1957, he moved his family to Fargo, to further his education using the GI Bill.

Elmer established A-1 Radiator Sales & Service business in Fargo, in 1967. He was a charter member of the Church of Nativity, Fargo, ND, having served on the parish council, and as a Eucharistic minister. Elmer was also a charter member of Fargo Nativity Council 6570 Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight in 1981, and assumed the duties of District Deputy from 1985-1990. In 1994, Nativity Council awarded the Elmer Bruns family the “Family of the Year” award. The family received the honor of the First Runner Up Family of the Year at the North Dakota State Knights of Columbus convention. Elmer joined the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Cardinal Muench Assembly 788 in 1983 and was elected Faithful Navigator in 1989. The Knights Bishop Sullivan Degree Team was formed in 1986, and Elmer became certified as a conferring officer for the state of North Dakota Knights of Columbus. In 1998, he was presented the “Knight of the Year” award from Fargo Nativity Council 6570. Elmer was selected as a delegate in 1988 to the Supreme Knights of Columbus Convention held in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Elmer is a past member of the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, Fargo VFW Post 726, First President of West McDonald Lake Assoc., Dent, MN, past member of the North Dakota Auto Body Assoc., Fargo American Legion and Fargo Order of the Eagles Aerie 153.

Elmer enjoyed retirement with winters in Alamo, TX, and summers at West McDonald Lake, Dent, MN. Throughout his life, Elmer was an avid sportsman and, in his element, when hunting and fishing.

Following nearly 60 years of marriage, Janice passed away in her sleep with Elmer nearby. They had been together since their teenage years, attending both Junior and Senior Prom!

Elmer is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jerome, Ervin, Valery, and Ray; sisters, Marcella Welder, Mathilda Pearson, and Lucille, Gladys, and Ella Mae Bruns; and grandson Jeffery Jr.

He is survived by his children Jolyn (David) Krabbenhoft, Dent, MN, Jeffrey (Cindy Rick), Fargo, and Julie (Steve) Sillers, Moorhead, MN; grandchildren Bryce Krabbenhoft, Breanne Fagan, Khera Houston, AJ Sillers, and Brittney Bruns; great grandchildren Xavier and Quentin Krabbenhoft, Emmilyn and Griffin Fagan, Mya and Liam Houston, and Ellie and

Gavin Berlin. Elmer is also survived by the second “love of his life”, Ella Verke. They shared a special love that radiated to all those they met.

Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.