In Memory of Bruce A. Svendsen

Bruce A. Svendsen, age 69, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the Methodist Hospital of Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Bruce Alan Svendsen was born on October 16, 1945, in Battle Creek, Iowa, to Thorwald and Mildred (Eriksen) Svendsen. Bruce grew up on a farm south of Battle Creek, attended Battle Creek school and graduated with the class of 1964. He went on to Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota gaining an associate’s degree in carpentry.

Bruce moved back to Ida Grove, Iowa and was employed by Gene Fick Construction for six years before branching out on his own. He was united into marriage to Catherine Sands and to this union two children were born: Catherine “Kit” and Curtis. The couple later parted ways.

Bruce was united into marriage to Jan (Sholty) Dickherber on May 23, 1982, at the United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa, and welcomed Jan’s two sons: Kevin and Travis.

Bruce owned and operated Bruce Svendsen Construction for 43 years with a far reaching talent for most anything he wished to do with his hands. He will be remembered for his hardworking attitude and sharp eye for detail.

Bruce enjoyed attending stock car races, fishing in the Boundary Waters of Canada, spending time with his family at Ten Mile Lake, and bowling, with a high game of 298. He always was willing to give his all to a project or client, and was continually mentoring and teaching. No matter where or when, people would want to know how long until he could get to their job, or just stop to pick his brain.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Jan Svendsen of Ida Grove, Iowa; children, Catherine “Kit” Svendsen and special friend Dave Sweeden of Ida Grove, Iowa; Curtis (Stacy) Svendsen of Sioux City, Iowa; Kevin (Christina) Dickherber of St. Louis, Missouri; Travis (Tara) Dickherber of Hampton, Georgia; grandchildren: Catherine “Katrina” Johnson, Garrett Johnson, Mallery Svendsen, Brett Svendsen, Brandon Svendsen, Keirsten Dickherber,  Cameron Dickherber, Cadence Dickherber, Chloe Dickherber, Kylee Dickherber, Deven Allen, Breanna Allen, Logan Dickherber, and Trenton Dickherber; great-grandchildren, Catherine “Jaylyn” Blackman and Jacob Johnson; brother James “Jim” Svendsen of Manila, Philippines; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Thorwald and Mildred   Svendsen.