Bruce E. Palmer, age 57, of Boyceville, Wis. died suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, in Medford, Wis., in a motorcycle accident. Bruce and Karen were on a motorcycle ride with friends on a beautiful day, doing something they both enjoyed.

Bruce was born and raised in the town of Hay River, Wis., to Wayne and Margaret (Brehm) Palmer. He attended Boyceville grade school and graduated from Boyceville High School in 1963. He was a member of the Bulldog football team that was the 1962 Dunn-St. Croix Conference champions. He then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. During that time he also served eight years, attaining the rank of staff sergeant in the National Guard Co. A, 1st Bn./128th Inf.

Bruce married the former Karen Kovacik on July 31, 1971, in Racine, Wis. They lived in Roseville, Minn., where Bruce worked for the Roseville Police Department for three years before returning to the Menomonie, Wis. area. Bruce started as an investigator with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department. He was the first full-time county deputy sheriff. Bruce was a plain clothes investigator, juvenile officer, crime prevention officer and the union steward. He then became the child support agency director. From 1989 to 1999, Bruce was an undersheriff for Dunn County. From then until retirement in September, he was the Dunn County Jail Captain. He retired after 28 years with Dunn County.

Bruce was instrumental in making improvements in the Boyceville Public Library. He was a member of the Boyceville School Board for 12 years, during which they did major renovations to the Boyceville High School and Tiffany Creek Elementary School. He spent the last several years planning implementing and supervising the Dunn County Jail. He was also an active member of various professional organizations.

Bruce enjoyed reading, computers, motorcycles and cars, camping and he loved his family. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

Bruce is survived by two sons, Karl (Jennifer) Palmer and Sean Palmer (Christine Odishoo), both of Menomonie; his mother, Margaret Palmer of Boyceville; one brother, Gene (Jeri Lou) Palmer of Fort Collins, Colo.; niece and nephews, Daniel, Lisa and Michael; one brother-in-law, John (Jane) Kovacik of Madison, Wis.; aunt, Florence Palmer of Glenville; cousin, Donna Palmer of Glenville; niece, Jennifer Lee Kovacik; their dog, Billy and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne,

Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wis. with the Rev. Ron Burke officiating. Visitation was Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3-8 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wis. and one hour prior to the service at the church.