Bruce Bunnell, 1939-2020
Published 1:00 am Saturday, February 22, 2020
Funeral Services for Bruce W. Bunnell of Albert Lea will be at 1 p.m. Monday at New Life Christian Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Vern Harris will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before services at the church.
Bruce Bunnell
Bruce was led home by Christ on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was 80 years old.
He was born June 10, 1939, in Minneapolis, the son of Lester and Marian (Schmidt) Bunnell. Bruce attended Rochester schools. He started working at a bakery washing pans and discovered his lifelong career as a baker.
He moved to Albert Lea to work for Boyd and Jack’s Bakery, and shortly thereafter he met and fell in love with Helen Hanson. They started their life together on Aug. 22, 1965, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They were blessed with two children, Kris and Kevin.
He became manager of Boyd and Jack’s Bakery, then purchased Swen’s Danish Bakery at Skyline Plaza. Later they purchased their own building, operating it as Bunnell’s Donut Hut and Bakery for almost 30 years before retiring.
Bruce was a member of Albert Lea Church of Christ (now New Life Christian), where he was baptized Aug. 13, 1983.
He enjoyed watching TV, old cars and motorcycles, camping and traveling in the RV with Helen, and the companionship of his dear pup, Dixie. One of his favorite past times was being on his computer; sending and receiving emails, getting conversations going about religion and politics, listening to music and keeping up on current events.
He will be remembered for his strong relationship with Christ.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Kris (Jon) Battleson; son, Kevin Bunnell; grandchildren Christopher Renchin (Natalie), Cory (Shaunee) Renchin, Landon, Nicolas and Finnley Bunnell, all of Albert Lea; sisters Barbara (Louie) Linsmeyer, of Pembine, Wisconsin, and Jean (Francis) Severson of Grand Meadow; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lester Bunnell and Marian Bunnell; his in-laws Edwin and Palma Hanson; and a brother, Lester “Bubs” Bunnell Jr. (Sonny).
