It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our husband, father, and grandfather.

Bruce Lyle Solem was born on April 26th, 1949 in Duluth to Lyle and Doris (Johnson) Solem and passed away peacefully at home on May 31st, 2026, at the age of 77.

Bruce married Shana Brouse on April 27th, 1974 and they recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary. Together they raised three children.

Bruce was a lifelong resident of Normanna Township and graduated from Clover Valley HS Class of 1967. He attended UMD for a year prior to enlisting in the Army for Vietnam. He completed jump school at Fort Benning, GA and was sent to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. Upon arriving in Vietnam his unit was transferred to the 25th Infantry due to their need for more men. He served in Vietnam from 1968-69, was wounded twice for which he was awarded two Purple Hearts, the second injury sent him to a hospital in Japan for several months for recovery. He finished his service at Fort Carson in Colorado.

Bruce resumed his education at UMD before starting his 32 year career with the USPS, retiring as the Postmaster of Two Harbors. He was involved in several organizations, including the Two Harbors American Legion (including serving as Post Commander), Two Harbors Rotary Club, Two Harbors Lions Club, Duluth Chapter 6 Disabled American Veterans (serving 10 years as both Commander and Vice Commander), The Military Order of the Purple Heart, The National Order of Trench Rats, 25th Infantry Division Association, Normanna Town Board for many years, and others.

Bruce enjoyed his Wednesday morning Vet breakfast with the guys, shooting pool, golfing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, reading, old movies (which usually led to a nice nap), 60’s music, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, and being outdoors. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Bruce was a kind, gentle man, a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He lived his life with kindness, honesty, and most of all honor.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, son Ryan, foster sister Bonnie Lundin, and many of his Vietnam veteran brothers.

Bruce is survived by his wife, children, Emily (Derek) Preshiren, and Lyle (Nicole), and special niece Laura Lundin. He was doubly blessed with 4 granddaughters, Gina Solem, and Lyla, Edie and Laurie Preshiren, and great niece who Bruce counted as his 5th granddaughter, Libby Pinsonnault. His siblings, brother Jeff Solem, sisters Denise (Tom) Boren, Wendy (Alex) McEwen, Georgine (Gene, deceased) Frost, special cousin Nina (Al) Holappa, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Wednesday breakfast buddies, and all of his remaining Vietnam veteran brothers.

The family would like to thank Essentia Health Hospice for their gentle, loving care of our sweet Bruce. Christa, Emily, Jessica, Lisa and the rest of this wonderful group enabled us to keep Bruce comfortable and at home through all of his illness.

Services will be held Monday June 29th starting with a visitation at 11:00, service at 12:00, followed by a luncheon at Minnesota Cremation Society, 4100 Grand Ave.

“We few, we Band of Brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.” William Shakespeare