Bruce A. Schutjer

Bruce A. Schutjer, 70, of rural Woden, passed away Monday, August 26, 2024, from injuries sustained in a UTV accident near his farm.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Woden, with Pastor John Heille officiating. Burial will be at Bingham Township Cemetery south of Woden.

 Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, August 30th at St. John's Lutheran Church and will resume one hour prior to services at the church.

 Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for projects in the Woden community.

Bruce Allan Schutjer, the son of Eldon and Patricia (Fields) Schutjer, was born on August 25, 1954, in Mason City and attended elementary school there. In 5th grade his family moved to a farm southwest of Woden. Bruce graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1972 and began farming with his father. On June 14, 1980, he married Phyllis Rezac at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden. They built a life together on their farm for 44 years and were blessed with a daughter and a son. He started his own business, Bruce Schutjer Trucking. Later Bruce’s brother, Steve, joined the operation and they became S & S Farm Partnership and Schutjer Trucking. Bruce was very proud to have his son, Rick, and nephew, Clinton, join them in the family businesses. 

Bruce enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids, attending tractor pulls and car shows, and volunteering around the town of Woden. He will always be remembered for his dedication to his family, faith, work and community. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served as an usher and council member for many years. Bruce had a unique sense of humor- if something was too serious, you could count on him to lighten the mood; he loved playing a trick on his grandkids, or throwing out a one-liner at just the right moment. Bruce and Phyllis managed to sneak in short weekend trips to go antiquing, visit family, see new places, and try new restaurants. Even though he and Phyllis didn’t get to check every location off their bucket list, be assured they enjoyed every trip they took and moment spent together. 

Bruce is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Woden; his daughter, Cassie (Brady) Collison of Algona and their three children, Avery, Lydia and Maren; son, Rick (Cassie) Schutjer of Woden and their three children, Hatley, Waylon and Walker; step-mother, Doris Schutjer of Burnsville, MN; two brothers, Gary (Cheryl) Schutjer of Albert Lea, MN and Steve (Mary) Schutjer of Woden; sister, Deanna (Dean) Ruesink of Castlewood, SD; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marcia (Gary) Schmidt of Kaukauna, WI, Bob Rezac of Chaska, MN, Pam Biehn of Wells, MN and Roger (Joan) Rezac of Dolliver; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Patricia; his parents-in-law, Robert and Elaine Rezac; brother-in-law, Ronnie Rezac; and sister-in-law, Mary Rezac.