Bruce R. Aunan

Bruce R. Aunan, 81, of Lake Nebagamon, formerly of Duluth, passed away Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, in Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center.

Bruce was born Sept. 3, 1931, in Duluth, to Julian and Inez Aunan. He was a 1949 graduate of Clover Valley High School. He played first base for the Bob Rossetter School of Baseball in Florida. He signed a contract and played minor league baseball for a short time afterwards.

Bruce was a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a decoder during the Korean War. After the service he continued his education receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a masters degree in education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. While attending UMD, Bruce met his future wife, Barbara Jane Holm. They were married June 14. 1958. Bruce began teaching in September 1959 at West Junior in West Duluth. In 1972 he began teaching English at Central High School, retiring June 7, 1991.

Bruce was a baseball coach for Central High School, an official for the Silver Broom World Curling Championships, an active member of the Duluth Curling Club and an avid golfer. Later in life he became an accomplished ballroom dancer. Bruce was a Lay Minister for the Holy Apostle Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 1996; grandson Sam in 1995; and his parents.

Bruce is survived by his children, Debbie (John) Farnham, of Duluth, Cathy Kendal of Roseville, Minn., Robert of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tim (Rachel) of Grand Rapids; grandchildren Ryan, Stacy (Aaron), Heather, Michael, Christopher, Erik and Jens; great-grandchildren Brittany, Alex, Hallie and Spencer; his brother, Wally (Gladyce), of Leavenworth, Wash.; and some very special cousins.

The family extends a very special thank you to St. Mary's hospice for their kindness and compassion during their father's final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Diabetes Association or Essentia Health St. Mary's hospice.

A GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 9 until the 10 a.m. memorial service Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., 624-5200.