Obituary of Bruce Norman Netland

Bruce Norman Netland, age 81, passed away Dec. 25th at Essentia Hospital in Superior WI, of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born April 25th, 1942 in Wilmar, MN to Clarence and Ethel (Forsberg) Netland. Bruce grew up in Willmar, MN and went on to North Dakota State University, getting his Master’s Degree. He was a supervisor for the State Department in St. Paul, MN and Duluth, MN, retiring in 2004.

He married his wife Janet in 2007 and was welcomed into her very large family and immediately loved by us all. He loved sailing and belonged to the Duluth Sailing Club. He was an avid reader and even authored a book “Distant Judgements”. He performed in over a dozen stage plays, but one that he talked about the most was playing Gandolf from “The Hobbit” in Faribault, MN. He loved volunteering at the annual Dragon Boat Races. He loved spending time with his son, Dan, watching football, playing cards or being out on the water. Bruce and Janet enjoyed going to plays, playing cards, visiting with family and friends and annual trips to Florida in the winter. His love of literature, history, the performing arts, travel and current events always made him the most interesting person in the room to talk to. Most of all, his soft spoken manner and kindness will make him dearly missed by all.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Duane Netland.

He is survived by his loving wife Janet; son, Daniel Netland; daughter, Christine Daniels; granddaughter Abby Daniels; nephew Peter Netland; Sister in law Joanne Netland; five stepsons, Donald (Misty) Miller, David (Yvonne) Miller, Douglas Miller (Stephanie Miller), Dennis Miller (Tammy Twining), Todd (Candie) Webber; 11 step grandchildren, The Miller’s, Tyler (Kayla), Chase (Madeline), Trevor (Emily Fall), Thomas, Zachary (Chantel), Dylan (Kaitlyn Tiessen), Nicholas (Ryan Hirsch), Austin (Mikayla), Carter (Mercedez Gorman), The Webber’s, Hudson and Bristol; and 8 step great grandchildren, Kyler, Carson, Cooper, Conner, Ayden, Callen, Wilbur, Mabel.

Funeral service will be held at on Saturday, January 27, 2024 Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 4831 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN, 55807. Visitation will be from 1pm-3pm with the service to begin at 3pm.