Bruce Whitmore

Bruce Chambers Whitmore was born November 22, 1918, the son of Bert & Alice Whitmore, in Montevideo. He graduated from the Montevideo High School and went on to attend the Roosevelt College in Chicago, Illinois. Bruce served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed in England, Ireland, North Africa, Italy and Scotland. He attained the rank of Sergeant as a Company clerk for his unit and also wrote articles about the war for the Montevideo American Newspaper while serving overseas. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945. He moved back to Montevideo to take over his father's insurance agency, which was started in 1913. During this time he had a blind date with his future wife and it was through this relationship that Bruce came to know the Lord. Bruce was united in marriage to Ruth Bronleewe on February 4, 1955 in Sioux City, Iowa. They lived their entire married life in Montevideo. Bruce owned and operated Whitmore Insurance Agency in Montevideo until the time of his retirement in 1980, when his son-in-law took over the business. Bruce was active with the Gideon's and jail ministry. He held a weekly Bible Study for the prisoners at the local jail for over thirty years. He always felt compelled to express the love of God and had a real heart for the prisoners. He also served on the Board of Directors of First Federal Saving & Loan and Washington Federal. He attended First Baptist Church and later Hope Reformed Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder. In later years, Bruce attended and was a member of Community Bible Church in Montevideo. He had taken several mission trips to Mexico and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels as well as years of service as a volunteer driver for Chippewa County Family Services. Bruce was an avid gardener and reader. He also loved classical music. Bruce and his wife enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Israel, England, Germany, Mexico and throughout the United States. Bruce lived a life of service to his Lord and Savior. He was a man of prayer and a warrior of the faith. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Bruce passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at the Westwood Health Care Center in St. Louis Park. He was 89 years old. Bruce is survived by his daughter Beth and Galen Slater of Montevideo; son Lance of Minneapolis; three grandchildren: Dr. Jared Slater of Rochester, Jill Slater of Minneapolis and Jennifer Slater of Montevideo; sister Judith Hanson of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, a brother John and Ava Whitmore of Bloomington; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Loretta and Bernard Aunan of Des Moines, Iowa; sister-in-law Vera Bronleewe of Buffalo Center, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth in December of 2001 and 2 brothers-in-law.