On July 18, 2013, we lost a very special person. Elroy passed away peacefully at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood attaining the age of 84 years, 9 months, and 8 days. Elroy Harlan Bruess, Jr. was born on October 10, 1928, to Elroy and Frieda (Lange) Bruess in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and spent his younger years in Sleepy Eye. The family moved to Benson when Elroy was in 8th grade. He graduated from Benson High School in 1947 and attended Dunwoody Institute. On September 10, 1955, Elroy married the love of his life, Ruth Wallen at Israel Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, Minnesota. They made their home in Benson for over 57 years and there they raised their family of four children. Elroy, fondly known as Jr., was employed at the Benson Creamery before becoming a Mobil Oil bulk agent for over 30 years. As a Benson School bus driver, he thoroughly enjoyed the students he brought to and from school each day. He was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church where he held various leadership positions. He also enjoyed being part of bowling leagues, Lion's Club, deer hunting in Hinckley, fishing, camping and vacationing with family, and drinking "Norwegian gasoline" and shaking dice with the guys at Sandy's Cafe. Elroy was a child of God, loving and devoted husband of Ruth, wonderful dad to Greg (Isabela) Bruess, Patty (Mark) Schreck, Dan (Dawn) Bruess, and Tammy Bruess, fun-loving grandpa to Jill and Jon Schreck, Sara, Ian, Anna, Alexander and Elena Bruess, brother to Corrine (Don) Larsen, and brother-in-law to Evelyn (Roger) Bruess. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elroy and Frieda Bruess, brother, Roger Bruess; sister and brother-in-law, Joleen and Virgil Birkholz. Let us thank God for the gift he gave us through Elroy. We will all miss his kind heart, great smile, hearty laugh, and the world's best hugs - but we know that everyone in Heaven will now get to enjoy those beautiful qualities.
