Bruce R. Moline peacefully entered eternal life on October 22, 2015 at the age of 67. Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Bruce will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Prior Lake.
On April 16, 1948 Roland and Sally (Surma) Moline proudly announced the birth of their son, Bruce Richard Moline. He was the eldest of two children and loved growing up in Richfield with his sister, Marylynn. When Bruce was a boy, his father taught him to fish on Lake Mille Lacs. This began Bruce’s lifelong love for water. As a teenager Bruce began fishing with his friends. They’d drive up to Mille Lacs, rent a boat, connect the small boat motor Bruce owned, and spend the day on the water.
After graduating from Richfield High School, Bruce took a number of college courses and enlisted in the Army Reserves. He was never called to active duty, but he proudly served his country for six years. After a few years in college, Bruce started working construction, and he never looked back. He was a quick learner at his first job at Gopher Masonry, and his boss became a mentor to him. Bruce soon knew that he had found his passion and decided to start his own business.
On April 12, 1977 Bruce created B R Moline Masonry . He started the company with only $500, some old equipment, a used truck, one employee and lots of determination. It was Bruce’s strong work ethic and positive attitude that made B R Moline Masonry a successful company. Bruce prided himself on his reputation for quality work and his personal integrity as an employer. Bruce completed his last job with B R Moline Masonry in September 2015.
Although Bruce was very proud of his work, the most important thing in his life was his family. Bruce and Darl grew up just blocks from each other, but began their romantic relationship as adults. Their love grew quickly, and on August 25, 1972 Bruce married the love of his life. They settled in Burnsville to raise their two wonderful daughters. For their 25 th wedding anniversary, Bruce and Darl renewed their wedding vows and their marriage was blessed by the Catholic Church.
As a family, the Molines spent a lot of time on the water at their house or their cabin. Bruce was always taking people fishing, teaching them how to ski, pulling them tubing as well as tours of the lake on the pontoon. As a grandfather, Bruce was able relive and experience this all over again with his grandkids. He loved every minute spent on or near the water.
In 2008, Bruce made a full recovery from lung cancer which gave him a new lease on life. Bruce and Darl began traveling more and took lots of road trips. They visited Gettysburg, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. Bruce loved to travel and spend time with Darl, and almost every trip they took included a stop in Bruce’s favorite city, Las Vegas. Bruce had a knack for betting on and enjoying football.
Bruce was optimistic and was always moving forward, working on the next best thing. He was a skilled gardener and kept a meticulous lawn. Bruce was known for making the best steaks on the grill and loved watching college football. Bruce had an extensive collection of motorized toys including, jet skis, four-wheelers, boats, corvettes and many more. He had many hobbies and interests, but Bruce was born to be Bapa . He treasured every second he spent with his grandchildren. He never missed a baseball game or school concert. Bruce and Darl’s home was always open to their grandkids. Bruce taught them how to drive, to fish, to play black jack and passed on his passion for the water to them. Everything in Bruce’s life prepared him to be a Bapa , and he was the best.
Bruce was an honest, strong and hardworking man. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. Bruce is survived by his wife of 43 years, Darlene. Also survived by daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Brian Schlichter; grandsons, Nicholas and Nathan Schlichter; daughter, Kristin Moline; granddaughter, Emma Lynn Kampa; sister and brother-in-law, Marylynn and Mark Lundquist; many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the Moline family.
