Bernard 'Bernie' Cruser
d. July 24, 2015
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED
Bernard graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1959 and immediately entered the U.S. Army. He spent his Army days in Kansas, New Jersey, Germany, Georgia, and California where he finished his five year career as a Sergeant in the Signal Corp. Following his discharge, he worked as a truck driver in Denver, Colorado before moving back to Minnesota where in 1966, he married Joyce Radunz. Two children were born to this union: Brenda Lynn and Bernard Jr.
He served as a counselor for the Minnesota Department of Corrections from 1960 to 1980 in Sauk Centre, and then as a Child Welfare Counselor for the Upper Sioux Community in Granite Falls from 1980-1983. For three years, he and Joyce operated the Granite Falls Feed Mill. He also worked for Lyon Heating and Plumbing in Sauk Rapids and Big Valley Milling in Montevideo. From 1990 to 2013, he served as a custodian/maintenance person for YME School, ECHO Charter School and St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Council Member and on the Cemetery Board.
He is survived by Joyce, his wife of almost 49 years; his daughter, Brenda (Dennis) Petersen of Hutchinson; His son, Bernard JR (Melody) Cruser of Pierre, South Dakota; grandson, Brycen Bernard Cruser; 3 step-grandsons: Denny, Jesse, and Timothy Petersen; 2 special foster daughters: Karen (Mark) Gamradt of Sauk Centre; Linda Strande of Medical Lake, Washington; sisters: Joyce (Ken) Johnson of Grand Rapids, Diane (Jerry) Pikus of Hill City, Karol (Donald) Weyer of Rice, Sandra Larson of Milaca, and Joann (Sid) Lyon of Sauk Rapids; sister-in-law Ellen (Roland) Blasig of Burtrum; and 26 nieces and nephews. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rita Cruser, brother, Ivan, brother- in- law, Gary Larson, and father and mother-in-law Edward and Dora Radunz.
Bernard graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1959 and immediately entered the U.S. Army. He spent his Army days in Kansas, New Jersey, Germany, Georgia, and California where he finished his five year career as a Sergeant in the Signal Corp. Following his discharge, he worked as a truck driver in Denver, Colorado before moving back to Minnesota where in 1966, he married Joyce Radunz. Two children were born to this union: Brenda Lynn and Bernard Jr.
He served as a counselor for the Minnesota Department of Corrections from 1960 to 1980 in Sauk Centre, and then as a Child Welfare Counselor for the Upper Sioux Community in Granite Falls from 1980-1983. For three years, he and Joyce operated the Granite Falls Feed Mill. He also worked for Lyon Heating and Plumbing in Sauk Rapids and Big Valley Milling in Montevideo. From 1990 to 2013, he served as a custodian/maintenance person for YME School, ECHO Charter School and St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Council Member and on the Cemetery Board.
He is survived by Joyce, his wife of almost 49 years; his daughter, Brenda (Dennis) Petersen of Hutchinson; His son, Bernard JR (Melody) Cruser of Pierre, South Dakota; grandson, Brycen Bernard Cruser; 3 step-grandsons: Denny, Jesse, and Timothy Petersen; 2 special foster daughters: Karen (Mark) Gamradt of Sauk Centre; Linda Strande of Medical Lake, Washington; sisters: Joyce (Ken) Johnson of Grand Rapids, Diane (Jerry) Pikus of Hill City, Karol (Donald) Weyer of Rice, Sandra Larson of Milaca, and Joann (Sid) Lyon of Sauk Rapids; sister-in-law Ellen (Roland) Blasig of Burtrum; and 26 nieces and nephews. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rita Cruser, brother, Ivan, brother- in- law, Gary Larson, and father and mother-in-law Edward and Dora Radunz.
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