Bruce Wendell Johnson, the son of James Wendell and Grace (Hanson) Johnson, was born February 5, 1947 in Windom, MN. His family moved to Spencer, Iowa when he was an infant. He received his education in Spencer schools, graduating from Spencer High School in 1965. After his schooling, he entered the military and served with the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge. He graduated college from Mankato State in 1969.

He married Debbie Mitchell in Spencer. Early on, Bruce worked in sales with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. He loved traveling the country and for the last years of his working career, he drove truck for Ruan Corporation. He retired in 2013 from Ruan. He loved rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was an avid golfer. Much of his free time was spent at the Spencer Golf Course and model railroading. Bruce had a great appreciation for good music and reading model railroad magazines. He cherished his time with grandchildren and traveled to Arizona often to visit the grandchildren there.

Bruce passed away at his home in Spencer, Iowa on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the age of 68. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deb of Spencer; one son, Lonnie "Lon" Johnson and his wife, Mira of Chandler, AZ; a daughter, Marci Burgoyne and her husband, John of Chandler, AZ; 14 grandchildren: Skyler, Alexis, Trevor, Brielle, Mila, Dan, Gia, Ali, Andy, Hayley, Alyssa, Colt, Emerson and Braydie; other relatives and many friends.