Bruce "Cruizer" Robert Froyum

Bruce “Cruizer” Robert Froyum, 58, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, passed away on December 6, 2024, at his home.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Karen (Kerr), whom he met while working in Grand Forks. Bruce looked to take care of Karen’s every need and told her every day she was beautiful.

He is also survived by his daughters, Dr. Hunter Froyum (and her husband Sam Maedke), and Hannah Froyum, all of Inver Grove Heights. In talking with Bruce, he would tell you with pride more about Karen’s and his daughters’ accomplishments than his own.

Bruce is also survived by his brothers, David (Kim) Froyum of Wanamingo and Bill (Cathy) of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bruce was born in Zumbrota, Minnesota, to Gunder and Elaine (Cordes) Froyum on April 10, 1966, who preceded him in death.

He graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1984. He went on to graduate with a degree in Agricultural Business from the University of Minnesota’s College of Agriculture in St. Paul.

Bruce worked part-time in college at Wayzata Marine and enjoyed boating throughout his life. After college, Bruce worked in the grain industry in Minnesota and North Dakota for Harvest States Cooperative (now CHS), Archer-Daniels-Midland and the Louis Dreyfus Company. He worked in two of the most historic and beautiful buildings in the grain trade, the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and the Pillsbury A Mill, which he managed for ADM.

Bruce transitioned into the energy industry which began with Split Rock Energy to Great River Energy power cooperative, and most recently, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which operates the electric grid for the central United States from the Gulf of Mexico into Canada.

Bruce was at heart the essence of a small-town guy who loved his hometown of Wanamingo. He delighted in showing his Minnesota driver’s license, with his address listed as “East of the Water Tower, Wanamingo, Minnesota.” During a visit to Wanamingo, it seemed like Bruce could name every resident of every home and every worker at every business. Throughout his career, those people skills developed in Wanamingo, where he saw everyone as a neighbor and as a friend, served him well as he worked to network country elevators with terminal grain markets or power generators with power users.

His people skills, combined with a great smile, a pleasant, upbeat attitude and never ending energy, also created a great network of friends. Bruce was the glue that would hold together a wide-ranging network of friends. In an era of social media, emails, and texting, Bruce thrived on face-to-face human interaction. Bruce would think nothing of driving (Cruizing) from Inver Grove to Wanamingo to Faribault to Wayzata to the Rum River to the State Fair and home again in one day, completing errands and popping in on family and friends unannounced anytime between 6 a.m. and midnight. Anybody that needed help on a home or farm project could count on an immediate yes and him quickly showing up ready to work. Bruce loved visiting with people, and status or importance meant nothing to him. He would chat up the person at the counter of the Casey’s and be as engaged as he would helping a millionaire with a boat. Bruce was a walking LinkedIn: He always knew a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy. And he was happy to make the connection for you.

One friend described him as the ultimate guys’ guy. He loved hunting with buddies, playing softball with the Da Weed Inspectors, showing sheep and cattle at the State Fair, tailgating at Gopher games, playing 500, driving tractor or truck on the farm, or just hanging out.

If you asked Bruce on a night out or while working on a project what time it was, he would yell back “It’s time to pick up the pace!” He lived his life at full pace, always with time and love for family and friends.

A Memorial Service for Bruce will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings with a visitation one hour prior to the time of the service on Thursday and from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, both at the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to wear Maroon and Gold (Gopher gear) in honor of Bruce. For those who are unable to attend in person, Bruce's Memorial Service will be live-streamed. Please see link below the day of the service.

Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings is handling arrangements.