Bruce Opheim

bruce opheim

Bruce W. Opheim Sr., 68, Fargo, passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Meritcare Hospital surrounded by his loving family. His life was too short for those who knew and loved him but it was a life of passion, commitment and accomplishment.

Bruce was born to Donald and Irma Opheim in St. Cloud, Minnesota on June 26, 1941, where he grew up. After Bruce graduated high school he attended Dunwoody Institute of Minneapolis and graduated with a degree in electronics. Bruce was employed as a Customer Engineer by IBM in 1961. He worked in Minneapolis until coming to Fargo in 1974 as a Field Service Manager.  Bruce retired from IBM in 1992. He then joined dataserv of Eden Prairie, MN, until moving to Eid-Co as a marketing assistant where he was currently employed.

Bruce loved travelling, golf, family trips, gardening, playing games and cards, and working with his colleagues in Rotary. He was Past President of the Fargo West Rotary Club and an active member of Fargo West Rotary for 22 years. He was a former member of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Toastmasters, and President of the Prairiewood Condominium Association for 15 years. He was also an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving as an usher and on the Stewardship Board.

Bruce will always be remembered for his laughter and quick wit. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Bruce cherished his family and friends very much. One of his greatest joys was being able to help others. Bruce enjoyed working with his children, helping them with home improvement projects. He was a true handyman with multiple skills. He and Betty went out with the same friends for dinner every Friday night since 1976. They are their extended family.

Bruce Opheim and Betty Siegmund were married in St. Cloud, Minnesota on August 25, 1962. He is survived by his wife, Betty, Fargo; his children Brenda (Jim) Hagel, West Fargo, ND; Bruce "Bill" Opheim Jr., Moorhead, MN; grandson, Wesley Hagel, step-grandson, Dylan Leaf, and step-granddaughter Alexis Christiansen; sisters, Beverly Priest, St. Paul, MN and Bonny Patterson (Ralph), Tonasket, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews . He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Barry Opheim.  

The memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. There will be a Prayer Service at Boulger Funeral Home at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and one hour before the memorial service in the church.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rotary International Foundation or the Red River Zoo.

Bruce W. Opheim Sr., 68, Fargo, passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Meritcare Hospital surrounded by his family.

 

 

Bruce W. Opheim was born to Donald and Irma Opheim at St. Cloud, Minnesota on June 26, 1941. He grew up and attended school there after which he attended and graduated from the Dunwoody Institute of Minneapolis with a degree in electronics. After graduation Bruce began work with IBM in 1961 and lived in Minneapolis until coming to Fargo in 1974.  Bruce worked as a field service manager with IBM until retiring in 1992. Bruce then joined dataserv of Eden Prairie, MN, where he worked until joining Eid-Co as a marketing assistant and was currently employed there. Bruce W. Opheim and Betty A. (Siegmund) were married in St. Cloud, Minnesota on August 25, 1962.

 

Bruce loved family trips,  golf,  and working with his colleagues in Rotary. He was Past President of the Fargo West Rotary Club and an active member of Fargo West Rotary. Bruce was also an Ambassador with the Chamber of Commerce, a member of Toastmasters, and President of the Prairiewood Condominium Association for 15 years. Bruce was the consummate community volunteer.

 

He is survived by his wife, Betty, Fargo; his children Brenda (Jim) Hagel, West Fargo, ND; Bruce “Bill” Opheim Jr., Moorhead, MN; grandson, Wesley Hagel, grandson, Dylan Leaf, and granddaughter Alexis Christiansen; sister, Beverly Priest, St. Paul, MN and sister, Bonny . He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Barry Opheim.  

 

The memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. There will be a Prayer Service at Boulger Funeral Home at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and one hour before the memorial service in the church.

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  1. St. Cloud MN
    Betty – My heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family at this time. I was a classmate of Bruce’s at Tech, and remember him as a great guy. I lost my husband nine years ago so know what you are going through. As everyone will tell you, it takes time. Thinking of you and your family at this very sad time in your lives – Karen.

  2. Fargo ND
    Betty,

    I was so sad to read about Bruce in the Forum. Since we don’t see each other every day, I didn’t know about him. I only met Bruce a few times but know he was a wonderful man.

    Shalom,
    Lynn

  3. Fargo ND
    Betty and Family,
    We are so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. We will remember him fondly and know that all your memories will be a comfort to you in the days ahead. We are especially grateful to have shared in your Friday night dates at Mr. Steak. He will be missed by so many.

  4. Oak Harbor Wa.Dear Betty and Family,
    Our prayers will be with you and your family. Bruce was a great all-around guy. I especially remember the kindness Bruce and Betty showed to my mother during their visits to Seattle.God be with you and give you comfort in the difficult time ahead.
    John & Judy

  5. Seattle WABetty, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bruce was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed. We enjoyed your visit out here a few years ago very much and were hoping it could be repeated. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. All our love, Morry and Wanda

  6. Clovis New MexicoIt’s not so common anymore
    to have a dad who’s really there,
    who is the provider for his family,
    who comes home every night,
    whose predictability
    creates a sense of stability and security
    His Obituary Reads
    Bruce will always be remembered for his laughter and quick wit. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Bruce cherished his family and friends very much.
    If everyone had a father like this The whole world would be blessed\\\May God Bless your family \with deepest Sympathy
    Your Friend from New Mexico Cathy Baca

  7. Fargo ND
    Our sympathies to you Betty, Brenda, Bill and your families. We are saddened by the news. Bruce will always be remembered for his great sense of humor as well as his kindness. We all had such a great time with our Gourmet “Dinner At Eight” club. So glad we had the opportunity to have shared those times with you. You are in our prayers.
    Always, Kathy & Rick

  8. Fargo ND
    Dear Betty, Brenda and Bill you have our deepest sympathies on this great loss in your lives. Betty, your email was very touching and showed what a wonderful person Bruce was. I still picture him walking around and around in a small circle with Megs for no apparent reason other than to see her big smile. I will always cherish the special bond he had with Megs. We will keep Bruce forever in our prayers.

    Keith & Dori

  9. Nebraska Ne.Betty & family Bruce will be missed by many,many people.I have so many great memories of our times togeather.Our prayers & thoughts are with you & your family. We have thought of you & bruce often & wished these many miles didn’t seperate us.

    GOD BLESS!!

    John & Kay Swallow

  10. nebraska city, ne.our deepest sympathy.our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.we have thought of you often.wished the many miles hadn’t seperated us. GOD BLESS-YOU & YOURS. john&kay

  11. Crookston MN
    Betty & Family:
    You are in our prayers during this difficult time. May God be your strength in the days ahead.

  12. Sun City West AZ
    Dear Betty and Family,
    My prayers and thoughts are with you today and always. Bruce was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and much kindness in his nature. We (Ron and I) played cards with Betty and Bruce (girls vs. boys) and always had a wonderful time. Golf was another activity we enjoyed together, so was cruising and other travelling. Bruce was interested in many topics he was a great conversatinalist. He also was a very good photographer and we enjoyed exchanging photos, esp. from our Alaska Cruise. Bruce will be deeply missed by all who have had the good fortune to meet, know and, most of all, love him. May God bless all of you.
    Frankie

  13. Sun City West ArizonaBetty & Family,
    My heart goes out to you as I think of all the good times we have had with Bruce. He was always a person who was willing to try almost anything. Some of our best times were our golfing trips and card games. He loved life to the fullest and we will miss him.
    May you move on with your lives as he would want you to.
    Love Ron

  14. Saint Petersburg FloridaBetty,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have fond memories from the short time in Fargo (98-01). You and Bruce were Rotary to me and part of what made that club great!

    God Bless

    J.B. Gaskins

  15. Lintin INI wish I could be there to support you all. I will miss Bruce’s sense of humor.

    Love and my deepest sympathy to you,

    Brenda


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