William Marcellus Bruehl

Minister for over 55 years, dies at 80.

Rev. William M. Bruehl, retired Lutheran minister who served in the ministry for over 55 years, passed away surrounded by family in Oakdale Minnesota on Tuesday, March 8. Born June 18, 1935, “A very good year” Rev. Bruehl was raised in Minneapolis, MN, attended public schools and graduated from West High. During his 9th grade experiences at Bible Camp, he decided to go into the ministry and pre-enrolled in the Seminary. He attended Thiel College in Greenvielle, PA, transferring to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he graduated in 1958. While at Luther he married Marlene Stene of Minneapolis. Rev. Bruehl graduated from Northwestern Seminary and was ordained in 1961 and became Assistant Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN where he spent 2 and half years. He then spent ten years living and serving at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James, MN. While in St. James he served as Dean of the Tyler District, President of the St. James Ministerial Association, and served on several synodical boards. The ecumenical work during these years was very rewarding to him as well as the relationships between the churches and the growth in understanding and cooperation. Rev. Bruehl continued his pastoral work at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, in St. Paul, MN, from 1973 to 1987. His time there was very rewarding as he felt that the congregation grew, with the members strengthening their relationships, caring about each other, and further learning how to practice God’s unconditional love in the world. While at Our Redeemer, Rev. Bruehl became President of the Lutheran Camp – MN synod – LCA, President of the St. Paul Council of Churches, and became “Angel” 2, Chaplain of the St. Paul Fire Department where he counseled fire fighters and helped the homeless. Rev. Bruehl then served at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ashtabula, OH, from 1987 to 1998. During his time in Ohio, Rev. Bruehl and his late wife Marlene, who passed away in 1994, worked on creating awareness and support groups for families dealing with Cancer, he also served on the board of Leadership Ashtabula, a group dedicated to helping on all aspects of community life in the city. In 1996 Rev. Bruehl married the late Lorraine Harper, who passed away in 2005, together they continued to champion causes for the Senior Center, the Cancer Support Group, and the Wellness Center. Rev. Bruehl retired in 1998, but went on to continue his ministry at Zion Lutheran Church in New Waterford, OH from 1999 to 2013. Rev. Bruehl always shared that “As a pastor, I accept people as they are in order that they grow into what God intends them to be. I see myself as one who helps people claim their God-given gifts and expand them to the glory of God.” Rev. Bruehl would also share that “My hope for families, congregations and the world is that through dialogue and increased understanding, we can live in harmony with one another” Rev. Bruehl moved back to the twin cities in 2013 and spent his time with his family here until his passing. One of his close late friends Don Thompson once put it this way about Rev. Bruehl “Friendship to Bill is very special and I believe indicative of the way he deals with all people in his total life. He is an individual who is very supportive and understanding. He stands ready to actively support one when the need arises” Rev. Bruehl loved to say that he had “Aged to perfection” always reminding his friends and family to “Meet people where they are” to have an “Inclusive heart, and always “make a celebration out of any gathering regardless of how big or small”. He loved Handball, Swimming, Photography, Travel, Fishing, Scotch, Nut Goodie Bars, Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls, and including friends and family in laughter and fun. He loved different points of view and brought people together to discuss Jesus and his ministry. Most of all he loved life and his family and friends. Rev. Bruehl is preceded in death by his parents, Johanna and Charles Bruehl, first wife Mom Marlene Bruehl, his brother Charles, and his second wife Mom Lorraine Harper. He is survived by his sons Todd (Karin), Tim, and Steven (Cesar), grandkids, Tyler, Jourdan, and Dylan as well as his second family sons Stephen (Jan), Greg (Sue), daughter Kim (Stuart) and grandkids Jennifer, Chris, Jeff, Erick, Laura, Cari, Bethany, Hannah, and Elise. He also leaves behind his dear friend Mary, several nieces and nephews, great grandchildren, and Rusty Von Skipper II, The Love Dog.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1390 Larpenteur Ave., E St Paul, MN 55109. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with service at 11 a.m.

Memorial gifts in Rev. Bruehl’s memory can be made to:

• Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

• Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1390 Larpenteur Ave E, St Paul, MN 55109

• Bethany Lutheran Church, 933 Michigan Ave, Ashtabula, OH 44004

• Zion Lutheran Church, 46808 Church St, New Waterford, OH 44445