Obituary: Bruce Walker

Bruce Alan Walker, 72, died Friday, Nov. 29 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

He was born July 11, 1952, in International Falls to Cyril and Elnor (Wagner) Walker.

On Oct. 11, 1969, he married Linda Kockelman, and they were blessed with two daughters, Toni and Mindy.

Bruce graduated from Hamline University with a chemistry degree and worked in the paper industry at Potlatch in Cloquet and Brainerd, retiring from Sappi in 2012. He was not afraid of work. He worked hard and played hard. He truly lived by the Walt Disney quote, "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."

After retiring, he volunteered with the ski patrol at Spirit Mountain, and with AARP, doing taxes for seniors. He loved playing pickleball and traveling. Summers were spent at the cabin on Rainy Lake. He enjoyed working in the yard and on the many projects on his honey-do list, plus some time for boating in Voyageurs National Park, fishing and fun with friends and family.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda; daughters, Toni (Stuart) Holweger and Mindy (Brett) Budzius; granddaughters, Brooke and Abby Holweger and Anika and Bridget Budzius; brother, Larry (Judy) Walker; sister, Pam (Dick) McNitt; and brothers-in-law Don (Diane) Kockelman, Jim (Bev) Kockelman and Bob Lavern.

He was preceded in death by Cyril and Elnor Walker; Clarence and Bernice Kockelman; and brothers- and sisters-in-law Pat and Jerry Linsten, Jerry and Jo Kockelman and Bonnie (Kockelman) Lavern.

Celebration of Life: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Grand Avenue Chalet Riverside Grill, 8551 Grand Ave. in Duluth.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Voyageurs Conservancy or Falls Education Foundation.

Pine Knot News, Dec. 6. 2024