Bruce Aberg

Bruce Alan Aberg, age 62, of Preston, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at Fillmore Place in Preston, Minn.

Bruce was born February 26, 1958, in La Crosse, Wis., to Virgil and Kathryn (Anderson) Aberg.

As a young boy, growing up on the farm, he enjoyed playing, watching the pigs, pulling loose fur from his Norwegian Elkhound, and hopping on the motorcycle and tractor for rides.

Bruce attended the Bamber Valley School activity center in Rochester, Minn., three days per week for many years. The drive was special as his parents would stop in Chatfield for Bruce’s favorite treat of grilled cheese and French fries.

At the age of 17, Bruce began having seizures, and suffered with those for 40 years. In 1985, he was one of the first residents at Fillmore Place, and made it his home for 35 years. If he wasn’t watching birds out the window, enjoying birthday parties with extra cake and pop, you’d find him out on adventures with his wonderful caregivers. The outings included cheeseburgers and root beer, another enjoyable treat. Bruce and his family have been fortunate to have his amazing caregivers throughout the years. They have treated him with unbelievable love, kindness, respect, and compassion, accepting him like a member of their own families. They were Bruce’s super heroes.

In April, Bruce had a hospital stay for pneumonia and recovered, but succumbed to bone cancer on Tuesday.

Special tribute for Uncle Bruce: “Bruce was born mentally disabled. Bruce wasn’t like anyone else, he was extra special. Bruce had personality; Bruce had meaning.  Bruce only knew love.  Bruce was given to us.  He was given to us to show us not to take life for granted. He was given to us to teach compassion and unconditional love.  We were the lucky ones to have Bruce in our lives.  Bruce was our blessing.”

He leaves behind his brothers, Brian (Cheryl) of Mabel, and Brent (Robin) of Forest City, Iowa; nieces and nephews Jessica (Justin) Holst of Lanesboro, Stephanie (John Meredith) of Rochester, and Benjamin of Brainerd, Minn.; and Madeline of Boise, Idaho, Lydia, and Calvin of Forest City, Iowa. Three great-nieces: Kaylin Meredith, Hattie, and Lillie Holst; Aunt Dorothy (Arthur) Anderson, and many cousins. Bruce was preceded in death by parents Virgil and Kathryn, and his aunts and uncles.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to SLS 98 (Fillmore Place) in Preston.  The Mengis Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.