Bruce Hoernemann

Bruce Hoernemann, age 59, of Ortonville, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, September 26, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Bruce Allen Hoernemann was born on May 10, 1963, in Ortonville, MN, to Arthur “Art” and Ruth (Johnson) Hoernemann. He grew up in Odessa and attended school there until the family moved to a farm outside of Ortonville when Bruce was in fifth grade. He went on to attend school in Ortonville and graduated from Ortonville High School with the Class of 1981. Following high school, Bruce attended Ridgewater College and graduated from the Agricultural Program.

Farming all his life, Bruce worked alongside his father growing crops and raising pigs and sheep until the early 90s, when he took over the farming business. On June 15, 1991, Bruce was united in marriage with Sheila Hermes. Together, they were blessed with two children: Rachel and Jacob, who he lovingly called: “Rach” and “Jake”.

In his younger days, Bruce played softball and bowled. He enjoyed deer hunting and when it was time for the deer hunting camp, Bruce’s family knew he would be gone all day and some of the night. He was president of the Ortonville Township Board and was a member of the CHS Board for many years. Bruce and his whole entire family were active in Big Stone County 4-H. Bruce enjoyed going out and checking on the crops or machinery and his morning coffee outings. He was an awesome sports dad and loved watching his children in their many sporting events throughout high school and college. Bruce had a knack for falling asleep just about anywhere. Being an early riser, he would catch little cat naps here and there. Bruce was a quiet man but had a dry sense of humor. He had a sweet tooth for bars, cookies, cake, ice cream, and candy, especially Almond Joys.

When Bruce had a little leisure time, he would enjoy the occasional round of golf or watching NCIS, CSI, or Vikings football on TV. He was a very giving person and would never turn down the opportunity to help someone in need, especially if it was a fellow farmer. Bruce worked with and became close friends with his neighbors, Tim and Karen Burdick.

Surviving Bruce are his wife, Sheila of Ortonville, MN; daughter, Rachel (Nick) Miska of Ortonville, MN; son, Jacob Hoernemann of Ortonville, MN; sisters: Diane (John) VanDierendonck of Minneapolis, MN; Charlene (John) Sovanski of Kewanee, IL; Betty Hoernemann of Minneapolis, MN; and Deb Hoernemann of Minneapolis, MN; brother, Jim Hoernemann of Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law, Kathy Hermes of Duluth, MN; brother-in-law, Brian Hermes of Annandale, MN; several nieces and nephews; many friends and neighbors; and his two dogs: Bo and Bella.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents; his maternal grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

The family requests memorials be made to Big Stone County Cancer Support Group, Ortonville Area Healthcare Foundation, and Carris Health-Rice Hospice.