Bruce C. Broeking, Sr., 65, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Bruce was born August 19, 1954, in Wausau, son of Regina (Gorsegner) and the late Carl Broeking. Bruce graduated from Merrill High School in 1972. He had worked at the former Wausau Papers – Brokaw for 36 years. During that time, he also worked as a self-employed logger. After the mill closed, Bruce went into logging fulltime. Bruce was an experienced logger and loved working in the woods. Bruce enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. For many years, he traveled to Colorado to go Elk hunting. He also enjoyed Whitetail and bear hunting in Wisconsin. Bruce always had a positive attitude and a smile. He never spoke ill of anyone. Bruce was a very dedicated son in caring for his mother. He enjoyed attending all events for his children and grandchildren. It didn’t matter if it was a dance recital, baseball, hockey or soccer game, Bruce was always there.
Survivors include his sons, Bruce (Heather) Broeking, Jr. of Merrill, Mike Broeking of Wausau, and Rick Broeking of North Fort Myers, FL; and his mother, Regina Broeking of Merrill. Bruce was ‘Beard Grandpa’ to McKenzie Broeking (Matt Handlin) and Bryce Broeking; Grandpa to Aiden and Easton; and ‘Beard Grandpa’ to his great-grandchildren, Chloe and Hayden. Bruce is further survived by his sisters, Judy (John) Breneman of Gothenburg, Sweden, Nancy (Gerald) Winchell of Mayville, WI, and Joann (Tim) Larkee of North Fort Myers, FL; nieces and nephews, David (Annelie) Wenslandt, Michelle (Jonathan) Borchardt, Matthew Winchell, and Kira (Travis) VandenBoogart; great-niece and great-nephews, Carl Jonathan, Alma, Andrew, and Evan; aunt, Helen Davis of Canton, MN; and uncle, Leonard Gorsegner, of Loves Park, IL. Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Carl Broeking; and aunts and uncles, Dorine (Karl) Kluenker, Tom Davis, and Marcia Gorsegner.
A memorial service for Bruce will be held at 11:30 A.M. Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church – WELS, Town of Berlin, Marathon County. Rev. Andrew DeGier will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. Saturday at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the N.R.A. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com