Bruce Ireland

Bruce Lee Ireland died October 12, 2021, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.  Bruce was born January 28, 1944, to Theodore “Slim” Ireland and Geraldine “Gerry” Christensen.  He joined siblings:  LaWanda “Sis” and Donny.  The family lived at the Ireland Ranch east of Martin, SD.  Later that year, Slim purchased a ranch at Folsom, SD and the family moved there.

Bruce attended all eight grades at the Folsom School and then went on to New Underwood High School.  Bruce participated in all sports, but especially liked track and field.  He placed at the state track meet in the High Jump.   Bruce graduated from New Underwood High School as the Salutatorian of his class.  He then attended South Dakota School of Mines where he majored in Chemical Engineering where he graduated with Highest Honors.

After college, Bruce was employed by Shell Chemical in San Francisco, California.  While there, he met Yvonne Grenier and the couple married but later divorced.  He then decided to go back to college and study to become an attorney.  He passed the Bar Exam in both South Dakota and Washington state.  Bruce practiced law in Washington until the time of his death  Throughout his career, he sat on the bench as a judge several times, which he greatly enjoyed.  In his spare time, Bruce volunteered on Ski Patrol.

Bruce is survived by his sister, LaWanda (Rodney) Rayhill, brother Bud (Peggy) Ireland; Two aunts, Eulaila Mansfield and Wilma DeBoer; three nieces:  Kami Ireland, Lana Dacar, and Kayla Olson; and four nephews:  Kory, Kent, Kevin and Kyler Rayhill.  Bruce is also survived by many cousins on the Ireland side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Slim and Gerry Ireland; older brothers:  Roger Dale, who died at the age of two, and Donald Ireland; Sister, Sherry Thomas; and nephew, Kerry Rayhill.

Graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 31st at one o’clock at the Martin Community Cemetery in Martin, SD.  Family and friends are welcome after the service at the Living Word Church on main street in Martin, SD.