Bruce L. Schnurr, 76, of Wilton passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in Hastings, Minn.
He was born Aug. 18, 1933, to Roy and Lois (Pasch) Schnurr in Norwalk. He attended Dorset Valley Elementary School and Wilton High School. He was united in marriage Sept. 5, 1959, to Rosemary Fuchs at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tomah. She preceded him in death Oct. 20, 2009.
Bruce proudly served his country during the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Air Force. He received numerous medals for his service.
He worked as a pharmacy technician at the Veterans Administration Medical Center for more than 30 years. Bruce and Rosemary lived in the Wilton area for many years. He enjoyed working with wood and was known for his woodcarvings. He made many beautiful pieces and was especially proud of the wood models he had made of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the St. Paul Lutheran Church bell towers. With his friends, Bruce took long drives through the countryside, admiring the growing crops and livestock. And, on occasion, he and Rosemary could be found “trying their luck” at the casino. Mostly, Bruce spent his time taking care of the animals and land on his hobby farm.
He is survived by two sons, Bruce T. (Betty Ahlgrim) Schnurr of Rogers, Minn., and Brian Schnurr of Wilton; two daughters, Mari (Tim) McGowan of Waunakee, Wis., and Sue Anne (Jack) Putnam of Hastings, Minn.; five grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn (Slade) Harrison of Crestview, Fla., Jesse James Preuss of San Diego, Calif., and Abbey Rose Putnam, MacKenzie Ann Putnam and Garrett John Putnam, all of Hastings, Minn.; a sister-in-law Kathleen (Joe) Girard of Rochester, N.Y.; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Rosemary.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Monday, May 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 401 Mill St., Wilton. Pastor Kathleen M. Wold will officiate. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, with military honors by the Hanson-Stark-Leith-Paeth American Legion Post 508.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 702 Center St., Wilton, assisted the family with arrangements.
The family requests memorials be given to Tomah Area Cancer Support.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
