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Crystal Falls-Oliver E. Bruce, 95, of Crystal Falls, Mich., passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, Mich.

He was born July 30, 1922, in Ramsay, Mich., son of the late John and Lempi (Hill) Hakkinen. Oliver’s mother passed away when he was very young, so he and his brother, John, came to live with his Aunt and Uncle, Marie and Nestor Bruce, in Crystal Falls, Township. As an adult, he changed his name to Bruce. Oliver graduated from Crystal Falls High School and married Clara Claus on September 17, 1946, in Crystal Falls, Mich. Together they raised four daughters and one son. Clara preceded Oliver in 2006.

Oliver and Clara spent all of their lives working the family dairy farm near Swan Lake. Oliver also worked off the farm, occasionally at the lumber mill and at a local potato farm. He was a hard working man who also helped neighbors, friends, and strangers by repairing farm machinery, welding or pulling them out of snow banks. Later in life, he continued to sell hay for many years and cut and sold firewood until age 90. Oliver was an avid sports fan, keeping track of the local high school teams and watching as many professional games as possible on television. Oliver always had a smile for everyone he met and was interested in what was going on in their lives. He loved having people around to share coffee, goodies, and stories. His strong, positive personality will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Survivors include one son, John (Bonnie) Bruce, Crystal Falls, Mich.; three daughters, Kathy (Dick) Cowell, Vulcan, Mich., Joanne (Paul) McCallum, Hastings, Mich., and Patricia (Joey) Blanton, Henderson, Nev.; 13 grandchildren; 27 and soon 28 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ruth Claus; many nieces, nephews and his companion cat, Kitty.

In addition to his parents and wife, Clara, Oliver was preceded in death by one daughter, Sherry (John) Wolak and one brother, John Hakkinen.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August, 19, 2017 from 10:00 a .m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls, Mich. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Michael Laakko will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls.

Memorials can be made to any children’s charity or animal shelter of your choice, in Oliver’s memory.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Oliver or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls, to honor Oliver’s legacy of life.