Bruce Fjelde

Lt. Col. Bruce Clair Fjelde died peacefully on November 18, 2020 at his West Fargo residence. He was 92. The family will hold a private prayer service this November. A public celebration of life is planned for the Summer of 2021. Cremation and other arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. The Family especially recognizes the care provided to Bruce by Ethos Home Care & Hospice (Fargo) under the guidance of Tammy Lopez. Memorials may be made in Bruce’s honor to Ethos Home Care & Hospice, Fargo, North Dakota.

Born and raised in Fargo, Bruce attended northside elementary schools and Fargo Central High School, completing his high school education at Pillsbury Military Academy, (Owatonna, MN). After graduation, he attended North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU, Fargo) for one year, then joined the Navy as a corpsman, following the footsteps of his father, the late Dr. Jacob Fjelde. After two years, Bruce left the Navy to attend the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks), pledging Sigma Chi fraternity (Beta Zeta).

In 1950, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Mae Foster, Detroit, Lakes, MN. The newlyweds moved to Coral Gable, FL, where Bruce enrolled at the University of Miami. There he joined Air Force ROTC while earning a degree in Business Administration. Bruce would later proudly display bumper stickers as he drove Fargo’s streets proclaiming ‘Canes as National Football Champions.

In November 1951, first son Bruce James was born. The proud father soon earned his second lieutenant bars in January 1952 and began a four-year enlistment in the Air Force as a pilot. He was stationed in Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas and later, East St. Louis, IL, where second son, Mark Bradley, was born in November 1953.

Bruce earned his pilot’s wings in January 1953 after basic training in the T-6 and advanced training in the B-25. Shortly thereafter, he received orders to report to Korea, where he served one year following the armistice, ferrying equipment and personnel from the theatre in the C-47 and dropping supplies to troops on the ground.

After serving in Korea, Bruce was stationed in San Antonio, TX, where he completed his military obligation flying C-54s. He returned to civilian life in Fargo in 1955, where he became employed by Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1959, daughter Kristen Mary was joyfully welcomed into Bruce’s family.

Bruce continued his Cold War service in the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter/Interceptor Squadron, The Happy Hooligans, based at Fargo’s Hector Field. He soon achieved a life-long dream, becoming a jet pilot with his call sign, “Fearless,” flying most missions in the F-89 Scorpion. He retired from the Air Force in 1969 as a Lt. Colonel after becoming qualified in the supersonic F-102.

Bruce began his business career at Pioneer Mutual in 1948 working summers at the insistence of the Company President and his stepfather, Bradley Marks. Upon receiving his business degree, he was appointed assistant to the manager of the claims department, eventually becoming the Claims Manager in 1958. By 1967, he became Vice President, Investments. In 1972, he was appointed Treasurer of the company. He retired after 32 years’ service in 1988.

Bruce was active in several fraternal organizations: membership in Rotary where he served as President and as Chair of the Governor’s Extension Committee; the Elks; EL Zagal Shriners/Scottish Rite; and the YMCA. Bruce was also active in the Fargo community, serving as: President of North Dakota School of Religion; a Board member of the Fargo Chamber of Commerce; a director of Fargo’s Share House; President, Chair and member of the Board of Dakota Hospital. He also patiently supported Kathleen’s various activities in the Fargo Catholic church (St. Anthony’s and Nativity parishes).

Bruce enjoyed boyhood summers in Detroit Lakes, eventually owning a lake home on nearby Long Lake, where he shared his love of Minnesota lake life with his children and grandchildren. He loved hunting North Dakota wetlands and farm fields for waterfowl and upland game. He enjoyed racquet ball, swimming, water skiing and camping. After retirement, Bruce became a biking enthusiast, logging nearly as many miles biking as he logged hours flying.

Bruce enjoyed a diverse taste in all genres of music, including classical, jazz, Big Band, Marching Band, American songbook standards, rock ‘n roll and blues, often playing his favorite recordings (loudly) into the wee hours on his lake porch or with his headphones from his favorite “easy chair.”

Bruce sang in the EL Zagal Chanters and played bagpipes in a Pipe and Drum Corps affiliated with the ND Air National Guard and EL Zagal Shrine. Bruce could sometimes be heard playing solo bagpipes in his backyard or summer evenings at the end of his lake home dock. He re-discovered his singing talents while living at Touchmark Assisted Living, crooning ( or “croaking,” as he described it) several solos and duets at special events.

In addition to the University of Miami Hurricanes, Bruce, who knew a winner when he saw one, was an avid fan of UND hockey, NDSU football and Vikings football. He’s still waiting for the Vikes first Super Bowl championship.

Known as a bit of a Beau Brummell, Bruce was once voted One of Fargo’s Best-Dressed Men by Strauss Clothiers. A self-proclaimed handyman, Bruce built his way out of a more than one home project “miscalculation.” Of course, he ws knowledgeable about military aircraft of all types and faithfully followed the exploits of the Happy Hooligans well into retirement. Besides planes, Bruce also had a passion for cars, owning several classics, much to the chagrin of Kathleen.

Numerous friends affectionately knew Bruce as “Bruno,” and regarded him as a fiercely loyal friend. Friends also enjoyed Bruce’s enthusiasm and wit as a storyteller, regaling family, friends and strangers alike with “flying fables,” ribald humor and his other favorite topics, Fargo and family history.

Bruce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen, his mother, Mathilda A. (Fjelde) Marks; his father Dr. Jacob H. Fjelde; and his stepfather Bradley C. Marks.

Bruce is survived by his eldest son, Bruce (Fran), Fargo; his son, Mark (Vicky), Indianapolis; his daughter Kristen Fjelde-Neils, Fargo; his sisters Andrea (Fjelde) Langeberg, Moorhead, MN and Marsha (Fjelde) Buterin, St. Louis, MO; his cousin Constance “Connie” Graber, Detroit Lakes, MN; six grandchildren: Anna, Indianapolis; Amy (Boggess) (Ian), Indianapolis; Andrea Clare (Fjelde-Guy) (Jared), Indianapolis; Erik (Ashleigh), Fargo; Mark Neils, Fargo; and Valli, Fargo; two great-grandsons: Nash and Beau (Boggess), Indianapolis; and beloved nieces and nephews.