Pastor Bruce Anderson

Bruce E Anderson, 78, of Moorhead died at Essentia hospital early Friday morning, April 15, 2022.

He was born on June 6, 1943, in Portland, Oregon, to Elmo and Margaret (Haugen) Anderson.  Bruce moved to ND in infancy and lived most of his young adult life in Rugby, ND, where he was a lifeguard, played sports, earned his Eagle Scout badge, and learned to love the horizontal grandeur of the prairie.  He graduated from Rugby High School in 1961 and worked on the Alaskan railroad that summer.

Bruce furthered his education at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 and went to Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1969.

Bruce met Aimee (Agre), during their time in the Concordia Cobber band as they sat across from each other in the baritone horn and clarinet sections, respectively. They were married on August 13, 1966.

After graduation from seminary, Bruce served four congregations in Goodridge, MN from 1969-1977.  Daughters Beth and Leah joined the family during their time in Goodridge. Bruce served on the volunteer fire department, helped with the construction of the Faith Lutheran Church building, and learned how to be a pastor. While there, he was honored to be invited to preach at the ELCA’s national convention in Detroit, representing rural ministry. He believed the sermon he gave was a gift from God.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church called Bruce to Duluth, MN, in 1977 and son Daniel was added to the family shortly after the move. Bruce thoroughly enjoyed watching his children’s concerts, plays, sports games, and shows – loudly clapping and cheering them on! It was here that Bruce began listening to 5^th steps in the AA community and led the congregation through a pipe organ and an elevator project.

The people in the congregations that Bruce served, truly became family; a large one, with life-long, deep and meaningful relationships.

Bruce served Our Savior’s until 1994, when he was called to be the Director of Church Relations at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He retired in June 2008.  Bruce enjoyed the academic atmosphere and reveled in the Cobber community. One of his privileges was to work with the scholarship students from the Maasai Girls School of Tanzania. These special girls called him ‘Babu’ which means grandfather in Swahili. When Bruce learned this, he taught it to his granddaughters, and it became the family’s name for Bruce.

Bruce also served in several capacities at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, from leading small groups to Visitation Pastor.

Throughout his life, Bruce enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, golfing, traveling, and pursuing many hobbies. He loved to play cards, was an avid handyman (his children liked the “1-800-Call-Dad” hotline), and a stained-glass craftsman.

The progression of his 25-year battle with Parkinson’s disease slowly limited his abilities, but never dimmed his faith in God’s promise of eternal life or his sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife Aimee (Agre), daughters Beth Anderson of Maple Grove, MN, Leah Benson (Swain) of Bottineau, ND, and son Daniel Anderson (Rebecca) of Duluth, MN, grandchildren Rebecca and Rachel Benson, brother Paul (Kelly) Anderson of North Port, FL, and nephew Ian (Laurel) Avery-DeWitt of Port Charlotte, FL.  He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Margaret Anderson and infant sister Lorna.

A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, MN, on Friday, April 22^nd at 1:00 PM with a visitation hour starting at noon. The service will be livestreamed at www.knowthegoodshepherd.org/privateevents and here on Bruce’s webpage.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.