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Obituary For Robert “Bruce” McDonald
February 14, 1928 – March 13, 2024
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Bruce McDonald at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital at the age of 96.
Bruce was born in Grande Prairie on February 14th, 1928, and raised on the family farm east of Grande Prairie with his siblings Lena, Donald, and Margaret. Their Dad (Jock) homesteaded in 1911 in the Crystal Creek area, where Bruce also went to school. Bruce worked felling trees, as well as in a sawmill in the winter while farming with his brother Donald in the summer.
He met Helen at a dance at Crystal Creek Hall in 1951, and they married on June 12, 1953. They bought the Flemming Farm in 1960 and moved there that spring. They raised 5 children on the farm. They had a mixed farm with pigs, cows, chickens, and grain. After a barn fire in 1963, they concentrated on cattle and grain. He specialized in pedigreed seed grain and was well known in the area as a source of reliable seed. He was a member of the Campbell Creek Grazing Association for many years, as well as being on numerous boards. Even after retiring in 1988, he remained involved on the farm.
He loved traveling to explore new places in Canada, the US, Norway, Mexico, Cuba, and Costa Rica. Camping was always a highlight of the summer, and touring across Western Canada, and north to Yukon, NWT, and Alaska, along with many annual McDonald family campouts.
He was referred to as a legend at Wildrose Manor where he resided for 8 years making many friends while playing crib. He was well known for his sense of humour. He loved playing tricks and teasing anyone and everyone, especially his grandchildren.
Family left to cherish his memory are his children Janet (Ron) Adams and her daughters Mary Adams, and Tanya (Matthew Sandford), sons Darrell McDonald and Gerald (Denise) McDonald, their children Jennifer (Adam) Young, Trena (Tom) Shaw, Michelle (Mike) Krawetz, and Tyler (Shelley) McDonald, daughter Shirley McDonald and her sons Colton (Cassandra) Norton and Chance (Amiee) Norton, son Ross (Sandy) McDonald and his sons Braden (Jenna) McDonald, Devon (Nadia) McDonald, and Tyson McDonald, along with 6 step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 16 step-great-grandchildren. Bruce is also remembered by his sister Margaret Ladwig, brother-in-law Ole (Tina) Bakkehaug, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bruce is predeceased by his wife Helen McDonald (nee Bakkehaug), his parents John “Jock” and Jenny McDonald, sister Lena (Jack) Moon, brother Donald (Nancy) McDonald, brother-in-law Keith Ladwig, and sister-in-law Jenny Bakkehaug, mother and father-in-law Ingebjorg and Einar Bakkehaug, and great-grandchildren Coy Krawetz and Trinity McDonald.
If desired, a donation in Bruce’s memory can be made to Crystal Creek Community Hall crystalcreekhall.com or the charity of one’s choice.
A Celebration of Life and Gathering of Friends will be held on March 28, 2024, at 2:30 pm at Bear Creek Funeral Home, 11802 99 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8W 0C7. The service will be livestreamed as well.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home bcfh.ca 780 830-7742
Live Stream
Services
28
Mar
Celebration of Life
02:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Bear Creek Funeral Home 11802 99 Ave Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0C7
14/02/1928 13/03/2024
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
death notice Robert Bruce McDonald 14/02/1928 13/03/2024
obituaries notice Robert Bruce McDonald 14/02/1928 13/03/2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Bruce McDonald 14/02/1928 13/03/2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
