Bruce Willard Abrahamson, 80, of Roseville, Minnesota passed away on April 28, 2021, after a long, brave fight with multiple health challenges.

Bruce was born to Bill and Dorothy Abrahamson in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 9, 1940. Always an overachiever, he was a paperboy and an Eagle Scout who spent his summers leading canoe trips for YMCA Camp St. Croix. At Central High School, he played violin in the orchestra, was a member of Midway HI-Y, swam a mean butterfly on the swim team, and met his life partner, Sharon. At Augsburg College, some may be surprised to learn, Bruce studied to become a minister. 

Bruce married Sharon Lee Pittelkow on April 2, 1960. He and “Cookie” celebrated 61 years of marriage, raised two daughters, and enjoyed traveling and hosting many family and friends on St. Croix River boat trips.   

Bruce first achieved national sales prominence as a regional manager for Velie Sales. Then as Vice President and co-owner of Action Automotive, he led the sales team and developed a second-to-none customer service and vendor relations program, helping grow the company as a leader in automotive aftermarket sales in the five-state area. For 21 years, Bruce was well-known for going beyond expectations and treating vendors and customers like family.

In 1994, he retired early due to a diagnosis of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia that made his typical work-pace impossible to continue. Always resilient, he survived his initial prognosis of five years and enjoyed 22 more of what he called “bonus years.” He enjoyed fishing with the guys on Leech Lake, driving one of his classic cars to the annual Back to the Fifties car show with Cookie, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

His bonus years allowed him a new career as a Ramsey County Sheriff Reserve Deputy. As volunteer extraordinaire, he trained and worked as DNR Boating and Water Safety Enforcement, DNR Certified Instructor for firearms, snowmobiles, and ATV, First Responder for Water Patrol, and many years as a Water Patrol Reserve Deputy.  Bruce received many service awards and served as an early and active board member of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Foundation. His last Facebook post summed up the importance of this experience to him:  “I miss the many friends in seventeen years of volunteering with RCSO. Thanks to all of you.”

Bruce is survived and greatly loved by his spouse, Sharon Abrahamson (Cookie); his adoring children, Lynne (Marty) Schoen and Lori Fritts; grandchildren, Brita (Brian Beutel) Carnine, Jamie (Alyssa) Fritts, Robbie Fritts, Kai Schoen, Soren Schoen, and Tommy Fritts; great-grandchildren Lachlan, Halden and Graham; brother Kirk (Deanna) Abrahamson; sister-in-law Sharon M. Abrahamson, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends. Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jerry.

The funeral service is at 2:00 pm on May 13, 2021, at Roselawn Chapel in St. Paul, interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Holcomb Henry Boom Purcell Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Therese Foundation for hospice care at St. Therese at St. Odilia in Shoreview, The YMCA for Camp St. Croix, or the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Foundation.   

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