Bruce J. Kautzman

Bruce J Kautzman, 75, Casa Grande, AZ passed away peacefully September 14, 2024 at Hospice of The Valley – Lund Home, Gilbert, AZ. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday October 29, in the Gardens Chapel at J Warren Funeral Services. 

Bruce was born in Beach, ND, February 28, 1949 to Tony and Katherine Kautzman. He was raised on a farm in Delhi Township north of Sentinel Butte, ND. Some of the many chores for Bruce were raising rabbits, feeding calves, milking cows and herding cattle on horseback. Bruce said his greatest accomplishment was at the age of seven, his dad put him on a colt and he was not bucked off! 

Bruce was educated at Plainview Country School, where he rode horse to a one-room schoolhouse. He often joked he was the smartest kid in his class for four years, not mentioning he was the only student! He attended four years of Elementary School in Beach and graduated from New Town High School. He went on to attend college in Dickinson and graduated from Kansas City School of Business. 

Bruce spent most of his career in sales and management in both Drug and Grocery. Some of the places he lived and worked were Bismarck ND, Minneapolis MN, Duluth MN, Tampa FL and Phoenix AZ. 

Bruce married Marla (Muth) on January 13, 1996. From the day they met, they have been inseparable and the rest is really history. One common interest was travel. They took many memorable cruises and land excursions. The only two Continents they were never on was Australia and Antarctica. 

When Bruce and Marla retired, they bought a home in Mission Royale, an Active Adult Community in Casa Grande AZ. Bruce thought it was great to live on the golf course because he could watch someone else water and mow the grass! He held several elected positions to help the different clubs in the community. He enjoyed hiking, biking, bowling and storm watching. But his greatest passion became pickle ball and he became an avid player. 

Bruce’s kindness, strength and humility touched not just our family but all who knew him. His contagious smile and goofy sense of humor would light up any room he was in and make even the worst day seem a bit brighter. 

Bruce will be deeply missed by his wife Marla, his children Ned (Sarah) Kautzman of Wenatchee, WA, Joshua (Joyen) Gartner of Wiesbaden, Germany, and Rhianna (Ryan) Spiekermeier of Shakopee, MN. He took extreme pride and adored his grandchildren, Reese Kautzman (18), Josie Spiekermeier (17) and Collin Spiekermeier (16). He will also be deeply missed by his siblings, Tim (Sandra) Kautzman, Kathy (Bob) Ecklund and Pam (Daryl) Locken; sister-in laws Karen Stein, and Julie (Jeff) Olsen; brother-in-law Wayne Hatzenbuhler; many nieces and nephews. 

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Tony Kautzman, sister Carol Kautzman, mother Katherine Heise and stepfather Donald Heise. In-laws, Peter and Josephine Muth; brother-in-law, Jerry Stein, sister-in-law Gloria Hatzenbuhler, and niece Callista Stein. 

In lieu of flowers please bring a lot of Beer so everyone can stay a long time an tell a lot of stupid tales. 

* Written by Bruce and edited by Marla