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Obituary Posted Online: 4/23/03

Rev. S. Bruce Fleming

Funeral services for Rev. S. Bruce Fleming were held April 19, 2003 at Stanchfield Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Cope, Rev. Maurice Lawson and Rev. Bruce Nelson officiating. Music was provided by vocalist Lawrence Olson, pianist Pam Theline and organist Lou Walters. Speakers were Dr. Truett Lawson, Frank Dewey, Sandra Stapp, Rev. Kim Swenson and Rev. Harris Youngquist. Pallbearers were Col. Jim Youngquist, Dr. Jim Weeks, Bruce Brown Esq., Craig Kronholm, Mark Kronholm, Dr. Paul Walters, Bill Stapp and Joel Werronen. Internment was in Stanchfield Baptist Cemetery.

S. Bruce Fleming was born January 24, 1916 in South Paris, Maine to Henry and Helen (Hickey) Fleming. When he was three-years-old he was sent to the Klingberg Children's Home in New Britain, CT and grew up there until 1933, when he moved to Minnesota. He graduated from high school at Bethel Academy in 1935 and went on to Bethel Junior College, graduating in 1937. Bruce graduated from Bethel Theological seminary in 1940 with a Bachelor of Theology. On August 9, 1941 Bruce married Astrid Marie Kronholm in Cook, MN and together they served at Ebenezer Baptist in Duluth and then moved to Kiron, Iowa and to Chicago where Bruce continued his education at the Roosevelt University, graduating in 1945. They returned to Minnesota in 1948. He and Astrid lived in various places in the Twin Cities metro area and again in Chicago from 1953 to 1964.

Rev. S. Bruce Fleming had a long and successful career as a minister, touching many lives in Minnesota and Illinois. His list of accomplishments is long and well known. Congregations he served include Ebenezer Baptist in Duluth, MN, Kiron Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa, South Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, Stanchfield Baptist Church in Stanchfield, MN, Emerald (Salem) Baptist Church in Chicago and Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He served as an Executive Minister of the Minnesota Baptist Conference as well as teaching at Bethel Seminary and acting as Assistant to the Vice President in Charge of Church Relations there.

Bruce accepted Christ as his Lord as a teenager and fervently shared the salvation and abundant life Christ offered until his death. His wife Astrid was his best friend, support and partner in life and ministry. Patty, his daughter, was his pride and joy. He loved Patty's husband Glen like a son. Bruce loved preaching, memorizing scripture, reading of all types and he loved people. He was an eloquent speaker and witty. He made people laugh. Family devotions were a special time of day. God and family were the most important things in life for Bruce. His favorite place was the cottage at Lake Vermillion. It was there that his boats got bigger and faster each year. He also liked cars.

Rev. Fleming died April 14, 2003 at Crystal Care Center at the age of 87 years.

He is preceded in death by his sisters Margaret Miller, his twin sister Helen Beyer and brothers Henry, Albert, William and George.

He is survived by loving wife Astrid; daughter Pat (Glen) Werronen and sisters Joy Dewey of Evansville, IN and Lil (Dr. Justice) Beach of New Britain, CT.

Arrangements handled by Rock Mankie Burial and Cremation Service of Braham, MN.