Bruce C. Lindholm Sr.

Bruce Charles Lindholm, Sr., of Forest Lake, Minnesota went home to glory on February 17, 2023. He was 87 years old.

Bruce was born on May 26, 1935, to parents, Joel and Caroline Lindholm. He graduated from high school in 1954 from Moose Lake High School where he was a three-sport letterman. He starred on the football team in particular – excelling at linebacker and winning MVP honors. Bruce was also voted Homecoming King.

After graduation, Bruce enlisted with friends in the United States Army and left for basic training in October 1954 at Leonard Wood, Missouri as a part of the 6th Armored Division. Bruce was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii where he served as a bayonet instructor. He played on the Army football team for two years. Bruce received an honorable discharge at the end of his service.

Bruce went home to Moose Lake and the family farm after leaving the Army. Bruce met his future wife Dorotha (nee Brouse) and they were married on February 15, 1958, on a -20° Saturday in Duluth, Minnesota. Bruce and Dorotha were blessed with three children: Bruce, Jr., Cynthia, and Vanessa.

Through the GI Bill, Bruce received a college degree and went on to work for the Great Northern Railroad and later the Burlington Northern Railroad (now BNSF) in marketing, personnel, and claims. Though his career moved the family around quite a bit, one thing Bruce always said was how much he enjoyed being a part of the railroad industry. Bruce and Dorotha moved to Forest Lake in 1977 when Bruce was transferred to Saint Paul for work. Bruce retired from Burlington Northern in 1990. In retirement, Bruce would often be found working in the barn, tending to their Appaloosa horses, baking his famous rhubarb bars, or enjoying his grandfatherly duties with his grandchildren. Bruce will be forever remembered for his sparkling sense of humor, his dedication to his family and country, his easy-going demeanor, and all the hilarious stories of hijinks he was a part of throughout his life – as a young man and as a grandfather!

Above all, Bruce’s love was his family. Bruce loved nothing more than to have the entire family out to the house for a barbeque or a holiday gathering. Whether it was for a Father’s Day cookout or just a normal Sunday dinner, Bruce truly cherished each time the family could gather.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Caroline; brothers, Oren, Glen, Richard, and Kenneth; and sister, Beverly Hakala. He is survived by his wife, Dorotha (nee Brouse); children, Bruce, Jr. (Gina), Cynthia Bergsbaken (Jeff), and Vanessa Wyne (Guy); sister, Fern Olsen; grandchildren, Amanda Lucas (Nathaniel), Matthew (Morgan), Eric Bergsbaken, Hannah Bergsbaken, and Jacqueline Wyne; and great grandchildren, Mason and Madeline.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.