Bruce Karl Kallenberg

A Memorial Service for Bruce will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior at Cedar Valley Church, 8600 Bloomington Ave So, Bloomington, MN.

Bruce Karl Kallenberg of Bloomington, MN passed away Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the age of 75 at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina from complications related to his long battle with Lyme disease.  In recent years, he has been a resident of Walker Methodist Health Center in Minneapolis. Bruce was born the first of four sons born to Karl and Betty Jane (Arnquist) Kallenberg in Minneapolis on September 28, 1946.  He grew up in Richfield, graduated from Richfield High School in 1964, and enrolled at the University of Minnesota with plans to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.  After some time, he began to sense God calling him to a life in ministry, and his obedience to that call resulted in a redirection of his life.  He then enrolled at Bethany Global University in Bloomington, where he met his future wife, Nancy Johnson of Roseau. Three years later they were married at Bethel Covenant Church in Roseau.  After graduation they, as along with a small group of students from Bethany, spent a year of internship in Mexico working in ministry with Operation Mobilization and Luis Palau Crusades.

Upon returning from Mexico, Bruce accepted a call to pastor a Covenant Church in Foster City, MI, where in 1972, daughter Lisa was born.  A few years later Bruce accepted the call to the Covenant Church in Viking and in 1973, son Matthew was born.  Years later, Bruce and family moved to Arden Hills, where he attended Bethel University and completed his degree in Biblical Studies.  Bruce graduated Summa cum laude with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. During this time, he also became the Interim Pastor at Bethany Covenant Church in Stillwater and later received a call to be their full-time pastor.  A few years later he and the family returned to the Bethel Theological Seminary campus where he completed his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Studies and Languages and a Master of Theology work in Hermeneutics. While at Bethel, he became the Academic Coordinator of the student senate and received the faculty scholarship for the highest academic record in the graduating class. 

In 1985 Bruce began serving the Park Avenue Covenant Church in Minneapolis as senior pastor and eventually led a merger with Elim Covenant Church, now known as Crosstown Covenant Church in Minneapolis.  In 1990, Bruce joined the faculty at Bethany School of Global Missions where he taught courses in the New Testament and Hermeneutics.  He also served as Adjunct Professor at Bethel University, teaching Biblical Studies and Ethics.  He also served as Interim Pastor at Elim Covenant (St. Paul), Riverside Church (Bloomington), and most recently, Bethany Covenant Church (Stillwater) which he was pastoring at the onset of his illness.

Bruce was a very loving, caring, passionate, and God-fearing man with a heart of compassion and kindness, always sensitive to the needs of others.  He was fun-loving and quick-witted with a great sense of humor.  He had a great love for the outdoors, often enjoying walks in the woods, fishing, hunting, sports, music, jogging, and physical fitness.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his beloved daughter and son, who were his pride and joy.  One of our favorite memories from Lisa and Matthew’s childhood was the way Bruce would engage them in a sing-a-long in the car, especially on our long road trips to Roseau. He often made up the lyrics, creating a story about them that included their positive attributes. He would then add a catchy melody and they would soon be joining him in the singing and fun by adding their own lyrics.  Each trip we took, they would beg him to sing those songs again!  A great memory we will treasure forever!

Bruce’s main motivation was to grow in his understanding and experience of God and His Word so that he could more effectively bring glory to His name and impact lives for Him through teaching, preaching, and ministering in the power of the Spirit.  He was tireless and available to all those seeking help.  His ultimate goal was to see lives changed for eternity!

Bruce is survived by, Nancy, his wife and ministry partner for 54 years, son Matthew; brothers Dale (Joan), Jim (Darlene), and Dr. Brad (Jeanne); sisters-in-law Karen Craven; Joyce Lovestrand; Ruth Ann (Roger) Helgeson; Joy Johnson; Lois (Charlie) Durenberger; Ann Marie (Terry) Haaby; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Kallen-Youngberg; parents, Karl and Betty Jane Kallenberg; father and mother-in-law, Rudy and Lillian Johnson; brothers-in-law, Ron, Paul, and Nels Johnson, David Lovestrand, and Richard Craven, and several aunts and uncles.

What a valiant battle Bruce has fought with Lyme disease and now it is over!  He is now well, whole and at home in the presence of the Lord he loved so much!

Bruce has fought the good fight, he has finished his race, and has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of the Lord."

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