August 25, 1954 - August 26, 2024
Bruce A. Schutjer, 70, of rural Woden, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, from injuries sustained in a UTV accident near his farm.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 31 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden, with Pastor John Heille officiating. Burial was at Bingham Township Cemetery south of Woden.
Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30 at St. John’s Lutheran Church and resumed one hour prior to services at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for projects in the Woden community.
Bruce Allan Schutjer, the son of Eldon and Patricia (Fields) Schutjer, was born on Aug. 25, 1954, in Mason City and attended elementary school there. In 5th grade his family moved to a farm southwest of Woden. Bruce graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1972 and began farming with his father.
On June 14, 1980, he married Phyllis Rezac at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden. They built a life together on their farm for 44 years and were blessed with a daughter and a son. He started his own business, Bruce Schutjer Trucking. Later, Bruce’s brother Steve joined the operation and they became S & S Farm Partnership and Schutjer Trucking. Bruce was very proud to have his son Rick and nephew, Clinton join them in the family businesses.
Bruce enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, attending tractor pulls and car shows, and volunteering around the town of Woden. He will always be remembered for his dedication to his family, faith, work and community. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served as an usher and council member for many years. Bruce had a unique sense of humor- if something was too serious, you could count on him to lighten the mood; he loved playing a trick on his grandkids, or throwing out a one-liner at just the right moment. Bruce and Phyllis managed to sneak in short weekend trips to go antiquing, visit family, see new places and try new restaurants. Even though he and Phyllis didn’t get to check every location off their bucket list, be assured they enjoyed every trip they took and moment spent together.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Woden; his daughter, Cassie (Brady) Collison of Algona and their three children, Avery, Lydia and Maren; son, Rick (Cassie) Schutjer of Woden and their three children, Hatley, Waylon and Walker; step-mother, Doris Schutjer of Burnsville, Minn.; two brothers, Gary (Cheryl) Schutjer of Albert Lea, Minn. and Steve (Mary) Schutjer of Woden; sister, Deanna (Dean) Ruesink of Castlewood, S.D.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marcia (Gary) Schmidt of Kaukauna, Wis., Bob Rezac of Chaska, Minn., Pam Biehn of Wells, Minn. and Roger (Joan) Rezac of Dolliver; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Patricia; his parents-in-law, Robert and Elaine Rezac; brother-in-law, Ronnie Rezac; and sister-in-law, Mary Rezac.