Bruce Blend

Bruce Blend, 65, New Salem, passed away peacefully at his farm on October 17, 2023.  He was surrounded by family after a well fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023, at the New Salem Auditorium with Rev. Bill Dodd officiating.  Burial will be at Bethel Cemetery, rural New Salem.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 PM on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a prayer service at 2 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the Auditorium on Monday. 

Bruce was born November 22, 1957, to John and Erna (Just) Blend.  A lifelong resident of New Salem, Bruce graduated from New Salem High School in 1976 and then enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving from 1976-1983.  On October 20, 1978, Bruce married Valerie Hoesel at Peace Church in New Salem.   They made their home on a farm southeast of New Salem where they raised their three children.  Val and Bruce worked together farming and ranching.  They shared 39 years together. Valerie passed away in July 2018.

A steward of the land and animals, Bruce farmed and ranched his entire life, raising Black Angus cattle.  He enjoyed hunting and tinkering on old cars and tractors when he had time and driving around in his Model A.  He was a member of the American Angus Association and a member of the American Legion. Bruce always liked playing cards and visiting with friends and family.

Blessed to have shared in his life are his three children and their families, Toby (Tessa) Blend of New Salem and their children, Wilbur, Christian, and Cloe; Justin (Jessica) Blend of New Salem and their children, Daniel, Lucy, Johnny, Jamie, Lillian, Susan, Joel, and one expected in November; and Shila Blend (fiancé, Brad Suchy) of St. Anthony and their children, Grace, Sophie, Calvin, Ethan, Tyler, and Jacob; siblings, Wanda (Glen) Lennick, New Salem and Wade (Mari Jo) Blend, Eclectic, AL; father and mother-in-law, Edgar and Esther Hoesel, New Salem; and Val’s siblings, Cherie (Stephen) Nicolai, Milnor, Keith (Roberta) Hoesel, New Salem, Mike (JoAnn) Hoesel, Mandan, and David (Susan) Hoesel, Dickinson

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie and his parents.