Bruce Knudson

Bruce Edward Knudson, 71 of Bismarck died on May 15, 2024 at CHI Hospital in Bismarck. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30AM (CST), Wednesday, May 22 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Bruce was born in Fergus Falls, MN on April 8, 1953, one of five children born to Darrel (D.W.) and Lorine Knudson. At a young age the Knudson family moved to Richardton, ND where Bruce graduated in 1971. He went on to earn a BS at UND in 1975. His chosen field was Geology. There was nothing he loved more than traveling the backroads exploring for Uranium, especially in a company four wheel drive with the company paying his gas expenses. 

His exploration career took him to the red rock country of Moab, Utah where he made his greatest discovery – a long legged redhead, Debbie Bronson, who later became his wife. Together they raised one son, Billy Knudson. 

During the 80s there was a great downturn in the economy and the family moved to Denver, CO. During that time Bruce observed all the longest lasting employees at the energy companies seemed to be business majors, not geologists. So off he went to pursue an MBA.

He received his MBA from the University of Colorado in 1985, beginning a new chapter of his life. Times were still hard finding employment. On a whim Bruce went to visit another geologist friend in California. The local hospital was advertising for a Financial Planner and he was encouraged to send in his resume and had an interview while visiting. Though this was Bruce’s first position using his MBA he was hired due to the interviewer feeling some pity, having a brother who was an unemployed geologist. 

This was another step in the adventures that Bruce, Debbie and Billy enjoyed in their life together. The family moved to the Monterey Bay area. Bruce working as a financial planner which began his career of working for different medical organizations in CA. Staying in the Monterey Bay area until their son graduated. They moved on to the next adventure in OR. While there, Bruce worked as a medical director at a hospital in the Portland area. While he was always one for new adventures and locations he yearned for the prairies of ND and the many outdoor opportunities there. 

Bruce then was given the opportunity to follow the family tradition of becoming an appraiser. In early 1999 he made the move to the Bismarck area to try his hand at appraising land. Initially Bruce did farm appraisals which gave him the opportunity to be out in the country with his four legged friend tagging along so they could get in some hunting. Bruce later became a Certified General Appraiser doing many residential appraisals in the Bismarck/Mandan area. 

In 2009, Bruce became a grandpa to the first of two beautiful granddaughters. He was very proud of those girls and what a good daddy his son was to them. He had many outdoor adventures with his son; skiing, fishing and always enjoying the great outdoors. He had what was referred to as his “bright lights theory” – the more often you could use your bright lights while driving, the better the place was to live. He was happiest driving country roads, camping and being on the water fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie of Bismarck; son, Billy (Kerry) and granddaughters, Ruka and Sloan, Bend OR; sister, Kathy, Moorhead, MN; brother, Bill Knudson (Cindi Lostritto); brother, Marty Knudson (Carrie) Dickinson, ND as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents D.W. and Lorine Knudson; sister, Jan Brown and brother-in-law, Phillip Brown. 

Since Bruce could proudly tell you how many years, months, and days since he last wore a tie, please dress casually. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to Central Dakota Humane Society, Heavens Helpers Soup Café Bismarck or the Tuttle Wildlife Club.