Obituary for Bruce Edward Gelhorn
Surrounded by family and close friends, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and Pastor, Bruce, died on January 9th, 2023, at the age of 67.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine; children, Jamie Morrison (Daniel), Sarah Osswald (Matthew), Heidi, and Leif (Diana); mother Phyllis Gelhorn; father-in-law Harold Granke; brother Lloyd, sister Heather Sellings, niece Laurie (Fred, Juliette, Oliver); in-laws Bob and Lynn Granke, Gary and Naomi Granke. Bruce leaves behind his beloved grandchildren who were his pride and joy; Noah, Grady, Marley, Mason, Becket, Lenni and Kinley. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones. Bruce was predeceased by his father Edward, and mother-in-law Patricia Granke.
Bruce received his Master of Divinity in 1981 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He began his ministry in Yellow Grass/Lang, Saskatchewan. Bruce loved being in a farming community as he had great memories going to his maternal grandparents’ farm in Dencross, Manitoba. During his time in Saskatchewan his three daughters were born. Elaine and Bruce moved to Winnipeg with their family in November of 1987 where Bruce began serving Grace Lutheran Church. In January of 1991, Elaine and Bruce welcomed their first-born son. Bruce was set to retire on November 20, 2022. However, this played out differently than expected as Bruce was already in the hospital. So instead, he and Elaine cuddled in a hospital bed and watched his final service online. God had other plans for our dad.
Bruce lived a very healthy and active lifestyle. He ran numerous full and half marathons. He would often push his grandchildren in the jogger while his children struggled to keep up to his pace during his “short runs.” He participated in many long-distance biking adventures including “The Ragbrai” across Iowa with his cherished friends. Bruce taught cycling classes at the YM-YWCA on Kimberly. You could often find Elaine and Bruce riding their tandem bicycle around Birds Hill Park or down River Road or Henderson Highway to Lockport for supper at the Half Moon.
Bruce cherished his marriage with the love of his life, Elaine. Bruce and Elaine had a love like no other. This was evident throughout their entire relationship, including in the final days where Bruce referred to Elaine as his angel. He was so appreciative of all she did for him. They enjoyed their trips to Europe, Mexico and of course their favourite place Luther Village. This is where their relationship started. The family will continue to honour Bruce’s memory at their special place, Luther Village.
He was the greatest father his children could ever have asked for. His children knew that they could always go to Bruce with any problem. They would always be met with his unique compassion and care. Bruce would often say, “Be good, and if you can’t be good, have fun!” Bruce led by example. He always had room in his heart for those in need or facing injustice, a value that his family embraces and lives out in many ways. Bruce excelled at connecting with others in a variety of relationships. He genuinely cared about people. He had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. Yet, we all know the status of most important person belonged to Elaine.
Near the end of his earthly life, Bruce still made sure everyone was taken care of. He made sure to check in on the well-being of the caregivers at the hospital. He made sure to leave each of his family members a special personalized statement. His family will forever cherish Bruce’s final thoughts and sentiments he was able to share with each of them.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Christiansen and Dr. Mendelson, as well as to the many nurses and staff at Health Science Centre who were so incredibly kind to our father, for their care and compassion during his final weeks.
“How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
- Winnie the Pooh
So, we won’t say “goodbye”. Instead, we will say, “Until we meet again Dad.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Mortgage Elimination Fund or to Luther Village Camp 211 Kimberly Ave., R2K 0X3.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine; children, Jamie Morrison (Daniel), Sarah Osswald (Matthew), Heidi, and Leif (Diana); mother Phyllis Gelhorn; father-in-law Harold Granke; brother Lloyd, sister Heather Sellings, niece Laurie (Fred, Juliette, Oliver); in-laws Bob and Lynn Granke, Gary and Naomi Granke. Bruce leaves behind his beloved grandchildren who were his pride and joy; Noah, Grady, Marley, Mason, Becket, Lenni and Kinley. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones. Bruce was predeceased by his father Edward, and mother-in-law Patricia Granke.
Bruce received his Master of Divinity in 1981 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He began his ministry in Yellow Grass/Lang, Saskatchewan. Bruce loved being in a farming community as he had great memories going to his maternal grandparents’ farm in Dencross, Manitoba. During his time in Saskatchewan his three daughters were born. Elaine and Bruce moved to Winnipeg with their family in November of 1987 where Bruce began serving Grace Lutheran Church. In January of 1991, Elaine and Bruce welcomed their first-born son. Bruce was set to retire on November 20, 2022. However, this played out differently than expected as Bruce was already in the hospital. So instead, he and Elaine cuddled in a hospital bed and watched his final service online. God had other plans for our dad.
Bruce lived a very healthy and active lifestyle. He ran numerous full and half marathons. He would often push his grandchildren in the jogger while his children struggled to keep up to his pace during his “short runs.” He participated in many long-distance biking adventures including “The Ragbrai” across Iowa with his cherished friends. Bruce taught cycling classes at the YM-YWCA on Kimberly. You could often find Elaine and Bruce riding their tandem bicycle around Birds Hill Park or down River Road or Henderson Highway to Lockport for supper at the Half Moon.
Bruce cherished his marriage with the love of his life, Elaine. Bruce and Elaine had a love like no other. This was evident throughout their entire relationship, including in the final days where Bruce referred to Elaine as his angel. He was so appreciative of all she did for him. They enjoyed their trips to Europe, Mexico and of course their favourite place Luther Village. This is where their relationship started. The family will continue to honour Bruce’s memory at their special place, Luther Village.
He was the greatest father his children could ever have asked for. His children knew that they could always go to Bruce with any problem. They would always be met with his unique compassion and care. Bruce would often say, “Be good, and if you can’t be good, have fun!” Bruce led by example. He always had room in his heart for those in need or facing injustice, a value that his family embraces and lives out in many ways. Bruce excelled at connecting with others in a variety of relationships. He genuinely cared about people. He had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. Yet, we all know the status of most important person belonged to Elaine.
Near the end of his earthly life, Bruce still made sure everyone was taken care of. He made sure to check in on the well-being of the caregivers at the hospital. He made sure to leave each of his family members a special personalized statement. His family will forever cherish Bruce’s final thoughts and sentiments he was able to share with each of them.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Christiansen and Dr. Mendelson, as well as to the many nurses and staff at Health Science Centre who were so incredibly kind to our father, for their care and compassion during his final weeks.
“How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
- Winnie the Pooh
So, we won’t say “goodbye”. Instead, we will say, “Until we meet again Dad.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Mortgage Elimination Fund or to Luther Village Camp 211 Kimberly Ave., R2K 0X3.