1925
Bruce
2013
Bruce Grant Tonkin
June 23, 1925 — June 9, 2013
A memorial service for Bruce Tonkin will be held Thursday June 13th at 2:00 PM at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester. The Reverend Michael Wuehler will officiate. Burial of the urn will occur on Friday at 3:30 PM at Lakeview Cemetery in Coleraine, Minnesota. Mr. Tonkin, 87, of Rochester, died Sunday June 9, 2013 at Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th, where he had been recently residing.
Bruce Grant Tonkin was born June 23, 1925 in Coleraine, the son of William and Bessie Tonkin. Raised in Coleraine, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota. He married Lucille Christenson in Coleraine on October 11, 1947. The Tonkins lived in Hopkins, Minnesota, Madison, Wisconsin, and Roseville, Minnesota before moving to Rochester in 1962. Mr. Tonkin was employed by IBM as a field engineer for 36 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, and was a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He loved boating and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Tonkin, of Rochester; a son, William (Pamela) Tonkin of Rochester; a daughter, Jean (Thomas) Grehan of New Orleans, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Christopher, Timothy, and Ryan Tonkin, and Austin and Peter Grehan; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Tonkin.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
If so desired, memorials may be directed to Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th.
Online memorials are being welcomed and may be created at this website.
400 5th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN 55902
400 5th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Bruce Grant Tonkin was born June 23, 1925 in Coleraine, the son of William and Bessie Tonkin. Raised in Coleraine, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota. He married Lucille Christenson in Coleraine on October 11, 1947. The Tonkins lived in Hopkins, Minnesota, Madison, Wisconsin, and Roseville, Minnesota before moving to Rochester in 1962. Mr. Tonkin was employed by IBM as a field engineer for 36 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, and was a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He loved boating and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Tonkin, of Rochester; a son, William (Pamela) Tonkin of Rochester; a daughter, Jean (Thomas) Grehan of New Orleans, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Christopher, Timothy, and Ryan Tonkin, and Austin and Peter Grehan; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Tonkin.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
If so desired, memorials may be directed to Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th.
Online memorials are being welcomed and may be created at this website.
Visitation
JUN 13. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
Christ United Methodist Church400 5th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Service
JUN 13. 2:00 PM (CDT)
Christ United Methodist Church400 5th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN 55902
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