Bruce Wayne Holmes
May 10, 1947 – Oct. 28, 2020
Bruce Wayne Holmes,
73, of Leeds, ND passed
Wednesday, October 28,
2020 peacefully at his
home in Leeds, ND. A
private family funeral
was held Friday, No-
vember 6, 2020 at the Nel-
son Funeral Home Chapel
in Leeds with Pastor Bon-
nie Weaver officiating.
Burial was held at the
Leeds Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials are preferred
to Heart of America Hos-
pice in Rugby, ND: 800
South Main Avenue Rug-
by, ND 58368.
Bruce Wayne Holmes,
the son of Wayne and
Norma (Schiele) Holmes,
was born May 10, 1947 in
Rugby. He was raised in
Berwick, ND and graduat-
ed from Towner High
School in 1965. Bruce at-
tended Minot State
University and enlisted in
the Army in 1967. Bruce
was honorably discharged
as a Sergeant First Class
in 1969 after serving in
Vietnam from 1968-1969.
Bruce married Renee
Odden, daughter of Ted
and Mary Lou (Smith) Od-
den on October 29, 1971
in Willow City, ND.
Bruce and Renee had two
children Melanie and
Shawn. They lived in
Berwick then later Barton,
ND and spent the last 40+
years of their marriage in
Leeds. Bruce worked for
the Burlington Northern
Sante Fe Railroad as a la-
borer for the Maintenance
Way Division. He was
also a track inspector
when needed. Bruce re-
tired from the BNSF after
serving 30+ years. He
raised and supported his
family through his hard
work which allowed him
some time to enjoy the ac-
tivities he truly
lovedÃ-..Hunting, fishing,
sports, and the outdoors
with his family.
Bruce enjoyed playing
sports such as softball,
golf and bowling. He was
a solid golfer but really
exceled in bowling with a
299 being his best game.
Bruce was a constant fan
and enjoyed watching
Melanie and Shawn at
their many events and ac-
tivities on the sidelines
and in the stands. He al-
ways made a point to
make it even on the road
trips after a long day of
work and commuting.
Bruce spent countless
days on Lake Sakakawea
and enjoyed trips up to
Canada to fish. Bruce and
his family spent many
special weekends during
the summer at the Sak
Shack at Van Hook Arm
on Lake Sakakawea. It
was truly a special place
for all, and they are
memories the entire fami-
ly will cherish. He loved
to hunt waterfowl near
Berwick and Leeds and
the occasional Whitetail
Deer near the Blegen
Farm. He enjoyed spend-
ing time with his father
and brothers in the out-
doors but loved bringing
his family with whenever
he could.
Bruce also enjoyed
building and has many
projects to his credit. He
helped on numerous
house projects and reno-
vated the house in Leeds.
There were not many pro-
jects he would not take
on. Another joy was
growing the garden in
Leeds. He spent many en-
joyable hours in the gar-
den and grew a wide
variety of produce. Bruce
spent a lot of time with
his wife Renee there as
well as friends Bucky,
Kevin, Cindy and Tex.
Bruce was a wonderful,
loving grandfather. He
cherished his grandchil-
dren and enjoyed watch-
ing them grow up and
loved hearing about all
the new and funny things
they did and said.
Bruce is survived by
his wife of 49 years,
Renee; children, Melanie
(Jay) Holzbauer, New
Richmond, WI and Shawn
(Kimberly) Holmes, Fargo,
ND; grandchildren, Philip
James Kraft, Ariel and
Javen Holzbauer, and Bro-
dy and Ryder Holmes;
mother-in-law, Mary Lou
(Smith) Peterson; brother,
Steven (Shelly) Holmes
and sister, Nancy Holmes;
sisters-in-law, Judy
(Darwin) Moen and Kathy
(David) Holmes. He is also
survived by several
nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Bruce was preceded in
death by his parents; his
father-in-law, Ted Odden;
and brother, David.
Online condolences
may be left
atwww.thenelsonfuneralh
ome.com
The Nelson Funeral
Home of Leeds is in
charge of the arrange-
ments.