Bruce Krentz, 77, of Pierre, formerly of Wagner

Bruce died Friday, February 5, 2016 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre. Memorial services will be 11 AM, Monday, February 15, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner, followed by Military Honors in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Burial will follow at a later date in the Doland Cemetery at Doland. Visitation will be an hour prior to services at the church. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Bruce Krentz was a man with more hats in his closet than one can list. A navy vet, telephone man, horseman, trapper, duck hunter, auctioneer...you name it, he's done it. We can say without a doubt that this world is better because he walked this earth in his worn out cowboy boots. Bruce never met a challenge he wouldn't take on or a person he wouldn't help, but after a long battle with cancer, Bruce has decided that it is time to hang up his hats. Bruce Krentz died at MaryHouse in Pierre, SD, 5 February 2016 at the age of 77.

Bruce was born April 30, 1938 at Sprague Hospital in Huron, SD to Homer and Pearl (Davidson) Krentz delivered by Dr. WH Saxton. He attended Ash Grove Country School and graduated from Doland High School in 1956. Bruce had several sports scholarships, but chose to serve his country and entered the US Navy serving on the USS THOR for 4 years spending months at sea laying underwater detection cable. He carried a top-secret clearance several years after an honorable discharge.

He farmed a short time until he went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone as a network technician.

Bruce married Marilyn (Grogan) in St. Lawrence, SD in 1962. They have three children: Steve (Sharon) Bismarck, ND; Laura (Tim) Fischbach, Ft. Pierre, SD; Mary (Jeff) Schneider, Armour, SD; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: LaTonya (Paul) Ericson and their sons Bridger, Titan and Jaxon, Murdo, SD; Amanda Anderson and her children Jaelyn, Ryder and Kenson Ft. Pierre, SD; Tyler Fischbach, Volga, SD, Taylor Fischbach and Tucker Fischbach, Ft. Pierre, SD, Kenly Fischbach and son Oakley; Tye Schneider, St. Lawrence, SD and John Wayne Schneider, Brookings, SD.

Bruce and Marilyn lived in Chamberlain until they moved to Wagner in January 1964.

Bruce was an avid sportsman who loving hunting, fishing, sports and taught his family to respect the land, nature and competition. His children and grandchildren spent many hours learning how to fish and hunt as well as to can, dry and cook the product.

Bruce was a founding member of the Ft. Randall Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and eventually served in many local and state offices until he eventually served as State Chairman in 1999-2000. One of Bruce's fondest memories was when he and Marilyn received the Frank Heidelbauer award for service in 2008 and their induction into the SDDU Hall of Fame.

Bruce never met a horse he didn't like. Well, maybe a couple. He rode, broke, and boarded horses and helped build the rodeo arena in Wagner and start the annual Wagner Labor Day Rodeo. He was also a skilled rope maker making braided bull ropes, horse halters and repaired ropes for many lucky enough to receive one.

In 1976 Bruce used his GI Bill to attend the Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering and auctioneered until 2015 when illness no longer allowed his voice to cry. Bruce especially loved serving as auctioneer for various charitable organizations.

Bruce was a charter member of the Wagner Saddle Club serving in various offices, a Rotarian, Chamber of Commerce member, Jaycee Member, Boy Scout Leader, Huck Finn Organizer, and Odd Fellow Lodge officer. He served on the School Board, Hospital board and was a life member of VFW Post #7319 serving local and district offices.

His parents, brother Wayne, brother-in-law Bill Stellner, and mother and father in-law Frank and Ethel Grogan preceded him in death.

Bruce is survived by his wife Marilyn (Pierre), his children and their spouses, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, a sister Carol, sister-in-law Rita, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are directed to Crosby Jaeger Funeral Home.