Bruce Alan Henkelman, 66 passed away on September 11, 2024, after a brave battle with cancer. Throughout all of Bruce's physical struggles and cancer treatments he never complained, he was always happy to have visitors and stayed so strong.

Bruce was born on July 8th, 1958, in Wausau to Randolph and Donna Henkelman.

He married Lorraine Wolfe on November 5th, 1983.

Bruce retired in 2009 from Marathon County Parks Department where he was a Trades Technician. He worked at Henkelman Builders prior to that.

Bruce was a talented woodworker and could build anything you could imagine. Bruce loved gardening, bird watching and any social gathering. He was a man of so many talents and knew something about everything. As his grandchildren would say "Papa knows everything". Bruce and Lorraine had a large friends group where they got together regularly as well as "book club" where the guys got together for beers and good conversation. He was well liked and so loved by many!

He is survived by his wife Lorraine, children Charmaine (Mike Michalski), Shannon (Brad Hardel), Lisa Knoblock (Rhonda Pietz), Donavon Knoblock and Stacey Haase (Brandon Fraaza),  grandchildren, Brandon, Derek, Chase and Melissa Michalski, Joseph, Joshua, Bradly and Brye Hardel, Cory Knoblock, Donavon and Ashley Knoblock, Hailey and Rayce Haase and Benjamin Fraaza, 14 great grandchildren and 3 more on the way, brother Ken Henkelman, sisters Tammy Grosskreutz (Steve) and Lisa Henkelman (Kevin) numerous nieces and nephews and his German Shepherd Lucy. The family would like to thank everyone that helped Bruce in the final months and weeks, especially his sister Lisa and friends Jeff and John.

He is preceded in death by his father Randolph Henkelman, his mother Donna Henkelman, his grandparents and granddaughter Brynn Hardel.

A funeral will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church N365 Cain Creek Road Merrill, WI. 54452. Visitation at 10 AM, service at 11 AM followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, and back to church for lunch.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com