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CANBY--Bruce E. Wornson, age 82, of Canby, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 12, 2026 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Canby, MN with Rev. Levi Bollerud officiating. Visitation will be from 3 – 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 5 pm on Sunday, October 11th at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Canby, MN and will resume Monday one hour prior to the service.
Bruce Everett Wornson was born on January 14, 1944, in Slayton, Minnesota to Harris & Mildred (Bohr) Wornson. He grew up on a farm near Hadley, Minnesota, the youngest of five boys. He was baptized and confirmed at Hadley Lutheran Church. He graduated from Slayton High School in 1962 and received his degree in Education from Augustana College in 1966.
Bruce served as a medic in Korea during the Vietnam War in the United States Army from 1966-1968. After returning from the service, he taught English both in Chandler and then Chandler-Lake Wilson High Schools from 1968-1974.
In 1974, Bruce moved to Canby, Minnesota, where he taught English, Speech, and Theater and directed one-act plays, all-school plays and served as declamation coach and advisor for the yearbook from 1974-1987. On October 12,1975, he married Juli Snortum at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Canby.
In 1987, Bruce changed careers and accepted a position as a salesman for Lockwood Motors in Marshall, where he spent 25 years. After his "retirement" from sales, Bruce started a third career, working for Houseman Funeral Home for another 14 years.
Bruce was a former member of the FCA in Marshall, a long-time member of the Marshall Area Men's Chorus, a lifetime member of the VFW, and served 22 years as an EMT in Canby. He was an active member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church since 1974 where throughout the years he served as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Trustee, and Deacon of the Congregation. He was also a confirmation mentor, youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, and last, but not least, a 51-year member of the church choir.
His hobbies included crossword puzzles, never missing Price is Right & Wheel of Fortune, getting to as many of his children's and grandchildren's sporting and musical events as possible, attending any Canby High School activities, cooking, baking and making lefse and Christmas candy. He was a wonderful cook-that's why Juli married him! Bruce was a people-person and had the ability to be friends with anyone he met. He loved his family and friends with all his heart, soul and mind. He will be deeply missed.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Juli, of almost 51 years. His children: Miriam (Gary) Kaczmarek, Joel (Liza) Wornson, and Mark (Kate Fujimoto) Wornson, his grandchildren: Hayley Denelsbeck, Aubrey Kaczmarek, Isaiah Kaczmarek, Ava Wornson, Livi Wornson, and Evie Wornson and his great-grandchildren: Mairin & Remi McAlpin, his surviving brothers: Robert C. (Audrey) Wornson and Paul Wornson and his brother-in-law, David Snortum as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.