Bruce J Wagner , March 09, 1961 — March 30, 2018

Bruce Jay Wagner passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 30th, 2018. He was 57 years old. Bruce was born on March 9th, 1961 to Charlotte and Al in Excelsior, Minnesota.

He was the fifth of six children. Bruce was a tough guy with the softest of hearts. They say that when he died his heart was twice as big as it should be, a literal manifestation of how Bruce lived his life.

He was someone who had many struggles of his own, but always wanted to help you with yours. He gave generously whatever he could, be it hugs, his delicious spinach dip, repairs to your car, or a good, playful ribbing. He loved the people around him deeply, and their happiness was his.

Bruce lived a mysterious life, filled with a cast of characters fit for a sitcom. Sometimes he plowed snow with them, sometimes he built race tracks with them, but always he gave them a friendship like no other. His optimism about people was occasionally flabbergasting to those around him, but the world would be a much better place with more of that in it.

Bruce was not someone who liked to sit down. He spent his life working in all the most physical jobs he could find, and never being in one place for too long. If he managed to sit for any reasonable amount of time, he loved to read, drink outrageous amounts of milk, have long conversations, and laugh uproariously.

Bruce is survived by his daughter, Raquel, or Shortstop, as he preferred to call her, who will love him forever and always; his mother, Charlotte; sisters Sherry, Sandy, and Deb; his many nieces and nephews, and his beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Al; stepmother, Shirley; sister, Cindy; brother, Steven; and his nephew, Jamie. His celebration of life will occur on Sunday, June 17th, at Round Lake Park Pavilion at 16691 Valley View Road in Eden Prairie, from 1p-3p.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation be made to Guild Incorporated, a local organization that does amazing work with people experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, at guildincorporated.org/donate/ If you are unable to give, then we ask only that you love those around you with all of your heart in his honor.

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