Lloyd Bruins, 96, Arnegard, died on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. He passed into heaven peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Mapleview Memory Care Unit, Bismarck.

His funeral service is at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at the Wilmington Lutheran Church, Arnegard. The Rev. Tim Swenson is officiating. Interment is in the family lot at the Wilmington Cemetery, Arnegard. Friends and family are encouraged to share condolences and memories with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Lloyd Bruins was born April 28, 1913, to John and Agnes (Bakken) in Farland, at his parent’s home. He attended Farland country school and graduated from Watford City High School in 1931.

After the death of his father in 1934, Lloyd farmed the homestead and worked various county jobs to help support his mother and siblings. Throughout his entire life, Lloyd enjoyed a rich relationship with his brothers and sisters and their families.

In 1939, Lloyd married Borghild Hovde at the Wilmington Lutheran Church, Arnegard. During their 67 years of marriage, Lloyd and Borghild lived in several locations: California where Lloyd attended Sacramento Junior College, his parent’s homestead, the beautiful Kinning ranch, and a second home in Sacramento.

However, in 1949, Lloyd and Borghild purchased a farm north of Arnegard. This farm was their home and Arnegard was their community for the majority of their lives.

Lloyd escaped to Lake Sakakawea whenever farming gave him some time off.

In 1978, Lloyd and Borghild began “wintering” in Mesa, Ariz., where they enjoyed a life of playing golf, shooting pool and hosting family and friends.

They retired to Watford City in 1977, when his son Gary returned to the family farm.

Lloyd served on several school boards, the Wilmington church council where he was a member, the Patent Gate Township board and the Arnegard elevator board. He enjoyed the Order of Oddfellows, the Arnegard Lions Club, local PTA, and the Sons of Norway.

He was a charter member of the Arnegard Rural Fire Protection District No. 1 and the McKenzie Bay Marine Club. He bowled on leagues and belonged to the Watford City Golf Club. He was proud to have been a part of the 1944 Harvest Brigade of “500 new Masseys, pledged to cut 1 million acres” from the South to the North in the United States.

Lloyd enjoyed all sports and contests. As a youth, he rode in cowboy rodeos, played basketball and football for WCHS and never missed a neighborhood dance. He loved fishing, water skiing and wandering the shoreline of McKenzie Bay.

He spent many hours stalking wildlife both with a gun and bow and arrow. His trophy mule deer is listed in the Pope and Young record book.

But his best times were spent with his family and friends playing pinochle, telling stories, laughing and having fun.

He cherished his wife, children and grandchildren, whether he was celebrating a special family event, watching their sports or taking them on an exciting and spontaneous adventure. Even in his last days, Lloyd considered himself “the luckiest man alive.”

Lloyd was survived by five children, Nadine (Gene) Tetrault, Sun Lakes, Ariz., Burt (Kristy) Bruins, Bend, Ore., Terri (Pete) Eikren, Battle Lake, Minn., Gary (Betty) Bruins, Arnegard and Lance Bruins, Bismarck; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Borghild; two children, Loretta and Gerald; two sisters, Marie Smith and Margaret Murie and three brothers, Edwin Bruins, Herbert Bruins and John Bruins.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Watford City on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to services.