Bruce Lewis Powers

Bruce Lewis Powers, age 76, of Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away on May 14, 2025, surrounded by loved ones following a courageous battle with cancer. Born on August 7, 1948, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Lewis and Phyllis Rose Ann (Young) Powers. He was raised in Maiden Rock and graduated with the class of 1966 from Ellsworth High School. Bruce furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 1970. Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in 1970. He was honorably discharged in 1976, as a senior crawler operator, having earned an Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. On September 29, 1972, Bruce was united in marriage to Deborah Gutting at the Hartland Methodist Church. Their lives were blessed with four children, Stephanie, Katherine, Candace, and Daniel. Their union later ended in 1991.

Bruce had a servant’s heart and was deeply committed to supporting individuals through emotional and mental health crises. For 30 plus years, he was active with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness. Bruce knew how to create a safe space for others and empowered them with tools for healing. In fact, he helped run the Peer to Peer eight-week support groups in which he facilitated. His genuine compassion and selflessness made him a beloved member of the "In Your Voice" support group in River Falls. Bruce also worked at the Brotoloc Willow View House for 25 years as a direct support caregiver leaving a lasting impact on those he cared for.

Beyond his professional work, Bruce went the extra mile to serve others—driving clients to church on Sundays and encouraging community through activities like playing pool. His hope was always that the message of salvation would reach those he served. He was also a longtime advocate for the Ellsworth Senior Center, where he had been a member for 15 years and served as board president for eight years, stepping down in late 2024.

Bruce was a dedicated and hard-working farmer. He operated a full dairy farm from 1972 to 2000, and then transitioned to a hobby farm where he raised steers, goats, and chickens—and made sure the barn cats were well cared for. Bruce’s children were gifted a freezer full of beef every year from the steers he raised. A proud veteran, Bruce continued his service to his country and community by joining the Bay City American Legion Post 357. Since 2011, he served as the Post's chaplain and was also a member of its military honor squad. Bruce’s deep faith was central to his life.

Some of his hobbies included singing leading him to being a longtime member (25 + years) of the Pierce County Ecumenical Choir, a group co-founded by his father. He was also known to sing karaoke with family at get togethers. Music was important to Bruce, some of his favorites were gospel country western. Bruce liked to keep busy and was also a member of the Red Wing Social Singles Club, which is a club for singles that organizes social events for members to connect and enjoy activities together.

Bruce approached life with a quiet grace, always seeking to understand and help others. He had a generous heart, often offering help without expecting anything in return. If Bruce stopped over and you were cutting down a tree or building something he just jumped in and helped. His quiet strength and selfless spirit were a constant inspiration. Bruce cared so much for his family and enjoyed spending time with them, whenever there was a family get together, he was sure to be there. Bruce was a devoted father, grandfather, brother and uncle, who will be dearly missed. Bruce’s final gift was to the Mayo Clinic Body Donation Program of Minnesota.

Bruce will remain in the hearts of his mother Phyllis Rose Ann Powers of Ellsworth WI, his children, Stephanie (Korey) Green of Hager City, WI, Katherine (Aaron) Powers-Johnson of Stillwater, MN, Candace Powers of Menomonie, WI, and Daniel Powers of Osseo WI; grandchildren, Shawn, Emily (Dalton Yarrington), Elizabeth Swenson, and Orrin Emilson (Gabe Byers); step-grandchildren, Kooper Green, Dylan & Ian Zeilinger-Johnson; siblings, Nancy Olkjer of Pensacola Fl, Brenda (Tim) Singer of Duluth MN, Rita (Jon) Anderson of Ellsworth WI, Leo Powers of Amherst WI and Amy Powers of Oakdale MN. Brothers-in-law; DuWayne Johnson of Ellsworth, WI, Christopher (Heidi) Gutting of Colfax WI, Phillip (Sandra) Gutting of Green Bay, WI, Sisters-in-law; Mary Lou Gutting of Marshalltown, IA, Holly Gutting-Van Ellen of Parkersburg, IA; Gloria Brunell of Sierra Vista, AZ, Bernadine Peacock of Geneva, IA, and Mary Nelson (Scott Hutchinson) of Latimer, IA; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Lewis Powers, former wife Deborah Powers, brother Harold Omsberg, and sister Mary Larson, brothers-in-law Jerry Larson, Rick Olkjer, Robert, Edward and Larry Gutting, Bill Brunell, Richard Peacock and Brian Nelson and sisters in law Lorelei Johnson and Kathleen Gutting.

A Memorial Service honoring Bruce’s life will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at C3 Church: 7563 US-10, Ellsworth WI 54011. A visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m., with a luncheon to follow.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.