Cover photo for Bruce Blatherwick's Obituary
1950 Bruce 2024

Bruce Blatherwick

April 28, 1950 — March 18, 2024

Frenchtown

When Bruce was born in Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND in April 1950, a strong wind was blowing from the east.  Over 20 years, tumbleweeds and wild geese continued blowing west and Bruce eventually ended up in Missoula, settled, made friends, worked, hiked, climbed, canoed, moiled for gold, skied, hunted, and drank a little beer.

Bruce met an incredible young woman named Joyce and pretty much married her on the spot. They shared everything…including the wooden bathtub, then moved to an isolated, uninhabited road in Frenchtown (now the center of civilization).  Their home may not have been made of rock, but it was certainly filled with them.

Bruce lived in Montana for 50+ years and loved every bit of it.  He worked in construction, felled trees, and operated a wide variety of heavy machinery. Bruce loved life. Bruce loved Joyce. He loved his friends and made the most of each moment with them. 

Bruce was, and will remain, bigger than life. No exaggeration!!  He loved people and being in the mountains. He found trails that bears couldn’t follow. He followed them.  He loved being alone, and he loved taking people with him. 

Bruce built his own “rock” work room, made spheres, made jewelry, and generally made a mess.  When he couldn’t buy a tool, he made his own.

Yes, Bruce loved life and lived it to the fullest.  Bruce will always be remembered for being “just” Bruce, never more, never less.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruce Blatherwick, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Remembering Bruce

Friday, March 22, 2024

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory

1705 W Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59808

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Reception

Friday, March 22, 2024

12:00 - 1:00 pm (Mountain time)

Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory

1705 W Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59808

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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