May 25, 1925 – Thursday, July 7, 2011
Service Information
Buffalo Covenant Church
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
11:00 a.m.
Visitation Information
Buffalo Covenant Church
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bruce D. Holmquist, 86, of Buffalo, died July 7, 2011 at the Lake Ridge Care Center with his family by his side. He was born May 25, 1925 in Buffalo, the son of Edwin and Mabel Holmquist. Bruce graduated from Buffalo High School in 1943 and was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He spent most of his service time in Germany, where he served honorably with the 333rd Infantry Regiment in the 84th division of I Company through the end of the war. Bruce married Harriet Oien on January 9, 1951 in Buffalo, Minnesota. Two sons and three daughters were born to them. He spent all of his working years at the Holmquist Grocery Store, a community fixture that was first established by his father Edwin. He worked with co-owners/brothers Kermit and Dwight for over fifty years and loved the customers and the employees that he saw on a regular basis. Bruce was an active member of the Buffalo Covenant Church, where he was confirmed. He served on a number of different boards at the church, served time as a trustee and was a faithful usher for many years. He also served on the Ebeneezer (Lake Ridge) board, on the Board of the Northwest Conference of the Covenant Church and on the Buffalo Public School Board.
Bruce was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Muriel and brother-in-law Raymond Peterson, brother Dwight Holmquist, sister Maxine and brother-in-law Floyd Brown, sister-in-law Bernice (Kermit) Holmquist, and granddaughter Gina (John and Barb) Holmquist.
Survivors include Harriet, his loving wife of 60 years, brothers Kermit Holmquist and Keith (Shirley) Holmquist, sisters Beverly (Edward) Kussman and Sharon (Stanley) Skytte, sister-in-law Gale (Dwight) Holmquist, children John (Barbara) Holmquist, Rand (Colleen) Holmquist, Carol (Barry) Bennett, Kristine (Robert) Kruck, Sandra (William) Nybakken, 19 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Bruce D. Holmquist will be held at the Buffalo Covenant Church on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Carl Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at the Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 12 at the church from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Online condolences: thepetersonchapel.com
Dear Holmquist Family,
We were saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. Your family has been an icon and legacy of Buffalo, and admired for your hard work and involvement in the community. The friendly Holmquist family grocery was an important part of both the Bonstrom and Dixon families over the years. You have our deepest sympathy.
Rand, Colleen, and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father/grandfather. Our prayer for you is that when the pain subsides it will be replaced with solace, comfort, and good memories of a good man.
Dear Holmquist family–
Bruce left such a legacy of faith for all of you and even those that did not know him for as many years as I did. How comforting to know that he is in heaven with his Lord and that you will see him once again. Know that Harvey and I will be praying for all of you as you miss him here on earth.
Love–Allison
To the Holmquist Family, I was deeply saddened to hear about Bruce’s passing. I will always always remember what a great person he was to work for. I enjoyed working at County Market and it was because of him and the family. I pray you will find peace in this time of sadness. God Bless you all.
Dear Holmquist Family:
My deepest sympathies to you all. I thank Bruce (and the entire Holmquist clan) for the opportunity to have “grown up” working at the old Holmquist Super Valu. I still can’t go into a grocery store without thinking about all the good times I had, and great people I encountered, while working for the Holmquist family in Buffalo (along with my dad, Len). Bruce led by example — through his knowledge, kindness and work ethic. The world could use a lot more men like Bruce Holmquist.
Your family is in our prayers.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire family. Bruce was a very kind man, he will be deeply missed. May the Lord give you strength in the days ahead.
You all have my sympathy. It’s very hard to lose such a good man. I will always remember Bruce running from one end to the other of Holmquist Grocery, keeping his customers happy and teaching his workers by his actions. He will be missed. God’s comfort to you all. Lu
Harriet and family – I’m so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Bruce always showed an interest in others and went out of his way to help them. He was an encouragement to me. May God continue to comfort you in the weeks and months ahead. I praise God for Bruce’s life.
I was proud to work for Mr. Holmquist as a cashier when I was a teenager in 1990. He was a caring boss and a kind soul. We are diminished.