Bruce Thorsland

Service:
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 2PM
Gilbertson Funeral Home
27001 88th Ave. NW
Stanwood, WA 98292
Directions & Map: www.gilbertsonfh.com
Or call: 360-629-2101

In loving memory of BRUCE R. THORSLAND, age 57, of Denver, Colorado who passed away on Monday, May 10th, 2010. Loving husband of Kathie and beloved father of Drew, he is also survived by his sister Ellen Thorsland, numerous U.S. and Canadian relatives and many friends. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary Thorsland.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bruce lived in Seattle, Washington as a youth. He participated in Boy Scouts earning his Eagle as a Sea Scout; danced in Scottish Highland Dance competitions; played the big bass drum in a Scottish Highland Bagpipe Band and played trumpet in various bands in high school.
As a young man, Bruce briefly attended college and was a radio Rock and Roll DJ before joining the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he married Kathie and took special training to become a computer operator which set him on his career path. Over the next 15 years Bruce and Kathie moved seven times before settling in Denver where they have lived for the past 20 years. It took Bruce 23 years and five colleges before he finally finished and received his B.S. degree from Colorado Christian College.
Less than two years after moving to Denver, Bruce became a very proud father when their son, Drew, was born. It was also in Denver, that Bruce's adult onset Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy was diagnosed and Bruce began his long struggle with the disease. In mid February, 2010, Bruce ended his almost 20 year career as a Programmer Analyst for Denver Water when his MMD forced him to accept permanent disability status. A fall at home on April 4th precipitated a long and difficult hospitalization. Bruce passed away peacefully on May 10th at the Hospice of St. John. He will be greatly missed by Kathie, Drew, and all his family and friends.
In honor of Bruce's memory, we have planned two celebrations. On Sunday, May 16th, our Colorado family of friends helped us celebrate his love of life with just the kind of party Bruce loved - full of good friends and conversation, a horde of teens and kids, food and yes, something to drink too! A more traditional memorial service for our Seattle/Pacific Northwest area family and friends will be held at 2pm, on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, in Stanwood, Washington.
Donations in Bruce's memory may be made to a special college fund setup through Wells Fargo Bank and payable to the Andrew S. Thorsland Education Fund. Checks can be mailed to the Thorslands at 2950 S. Newland St., Denver, CO 80227. Also, donations made in Bruce's memory to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation will make a difference to people like Bruce & future generations who are affected by MMD. Here is a link to the website: http://www.myotonic.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/. To learn more about Myotonic Dystrophy click at the top of the page on "Medical Information" & then click on "About the Disorder" link .