Lloyd Bruins, 96, of Arnegard, died Oct. 31, 2009. He passed into heaven peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Mapleview Memory Care Unit in Bismarck, N.D. His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard, N.D.

Pastor Tim Swenson will officiate and interment will be in the family plot at Wilmington Cemetery, Arnegard. Friends and family are encouraged to share condolences and memories with the family at (www.fulkersons.com).

Lloyd Bruins was born April 28, 1913, to John and Agnes (Bakken) in Farland, N.D, at his parents' home. He attended Farland country school and graduated from Watford City High School in 1931. After the death of his father in 1934, Lloyd farmed the homestead and worked various county jobs to help support his mother and siblings. Throughout his entire life, Lloyd enjoyed a rich relationship with his brothers and sisters and their families.

In 1939, Lloyd married Borghild Hovde at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard. During their 67 years of marriage, Lloyd and Borghild lived in several locations: California, where Lloyd attended Sacramento Junior College, his parents' homestead, the beautiful Kinning ranch, and a second home in Sacramento. However, in 1949 Lloyd and Borghild purchased a farm north of Arnegard and this farm was their home and Arnegard their community for the majority of their lives. Lloyd escaped to Lake Sakakawea whenever farming gave him some time off. In 1978, Lloyd and Borghild began "wintering" in Mesa, Ariz., where they enjoyed a life of playing golf, shooting pool and hosting family and friends. They retired to Watford City in 1977 when his son Gary returned to the family farm.

Lloyd served on several school boards, on the council of Wilmington Lutheran Church, where he was a member, the Patent Gate Township Board, and the Arnegard Elevator Board. He enjoyed the Order of Odd Fellows, the Arnegard Lions Club, local PTAs, and the Sons of Norway. He was a charter member of the Arnegard Rural Fire Protection District No. 1 and the McKenzie Bay Marine Club. He bowled on leagues and belonged to the Watford City Golf Club. He was proud to have been a part of the 1944 Harvest Brigade of "500 new Masseys, pledged to cut one million acres" from the South to the North in the United States.

Lloyd enjoyed all sports and contests. As a youth he rode in cowboy rodeos, played basketball and football for WCHS, and never missed a neighborhood dance. He loved fishing, water-skiing, and wandering the shoreline of McKenzie Bay. He spent many hours stalking wildlife, both with a gun and bow and arrow. His trophy mule deer is listed in the Pope and Young record book. But his best times were spent with his family and friends playing pinochle, telling stories, laughing and having fun. He cherished his wife, children and grandchildren, whether he was celebrating a special family event, watching their sports, or taking them on an exciting and spontaneous adventure. Even in his last days, Lloyd considered himself "the luckiest man alive."

Lloyd is survived by: five children, Nadine (Gene) Tetrault, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Burt (Kristy) Bruins, of Bend, Ore., Terri (Pete) Eikren, of Battle Lake, Minn., Gary (Betty) Bruins, of Arnegard, N.D., and Lance Bruins, of Bismarck, N.D.; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Borghild; two children, Loretta and Gerald; two sisters, Marie Smith and Margaret Murie; and three brothers, Edwin Bruins, Herbert Bruins and John Bruins.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Watford City on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon and at the church one hour prior to services.