Bruce Edward Wurdeman was born in Independence, Missouri, on December 30, 1948 and was called home to be with his Savior on November 21, 2020. He joined the family of God through baptism at Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence on January 23, 1949 and was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Raytown, Missouri, on April 15, 1962.

As a professional, husband, father, and friend, Bruce Wurdeman dedicated his life to serving his Savior, Jesus. He found a heart for ministry at a young age through the influence of his parents, Albert and Ruth Wurdeman, and a close relationship with his grandfather, Herman Rotermund. Bruce attended St. Paul’s Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri, then went on to earn to a Bachelor of Arts degree in School Administration from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois. He was commissioned as both a teacher and a Director of Christian Education. The same institution awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2012. Bruce also held a Master of Arts degree in Exegetical Theology (Old Testament) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He married Marijane (Mj) Marsh on December 28, 1970, and his early career brought the young couple to Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois, where he served as a school teacher and youth director. In 1974, they moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where Bruce served the North Dakota District – LCMS campus ministry at NDSU and filled the role of youth ministry director at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Six years later, Bruce accepted a call to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eureka, Missouri, where he led the congregation in developing a Lutheran Elementary School and served as school principal and Director of Adult Christian Education. He and Mj remained in Eureka for 22 years as they raised their three children, Adam, Philip, and Abigail. Bruce served the larger church as a member of various district committees and boards, including the Board of Directors for the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In 1994, Bruce was called to use his gifts at Lutheran Hour Ministries in St. Louis, where he served as assistant director of Volunteer Opportunities. He transitioned to the role of mission and ministry facilitator for the Texas District of the LCMS in 2002. After six years in Lubbock, Texas, the Wurdemans returned to St. Louis where Bruce initially took the position of Director of North American Ministries and—later—Executive Director of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

He retired in 2013 and moved to Emerald Bay in Bullard, Texas, where he indulged in his most loved hobbies, golfing and fishing. He also had a deep heart for children and especially valued time spent with his grandkids. 

He is survived by his wife Mj (née Marsh); his children Adam and wife Kelli, Philip and wife Stacey, and Abigail; granddaughters Megan, Rylie, Piper, and Izzie; grandsons Drew, Wyatt, and Myles; his mother Ruth; his sisters Diane Strohacker and husband Chuck, and Debbie Busse and husband Wayne; his brothers-in-law Ward Marsh and John Marsh and wife Jackie; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Albert Wurdeman, sister-in-law Sharon Marsh, and niece Emily Lowe Busse.

Throughout and beyond his long career, Bruce found his greatest fulfillment and joy in leading adult learners through the Bible. Using the series Crossways as a guide and the Bible as the textbook, Bruce’s goal for each lesson was to illuminate another piece of God’s plan for the redemption of his people and to always point to Christ.

The following poem is written and dedicated to Bruce as a gift of love and friendship by Jim Rohe. Since meeting as coworkers at Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto, Illinois, the Wurdeman and Rohe families have enjoyed friendship of almost fifty years. Thank you, Jim.

BRUCE EDWARD WURDEMAN

  December 30, 1948--November 21, 2020

                        O Lord of love, of life, of death;

                        We come before You now

                        To seek the strength which comes from You—

                        To ease the pain, somehow.

                        For many years You shared with us

                        Your miracle of life;

                        You blessed Bruce with his many friends;

                        His family and his wife.

                        O Lord, we give You thanks

                        For all the years that he was ours;

                        His calling home—another

                        Demonstration of Your powers.

                        His ministry on earth seem short

                        For reasons You would know;

                        But knowing he's at home with You

                        Helps us to let him go.

                        Bruce's legacy: devotion

                        To his family and to friends;

                        And all the lives he touched through Christ

                        Are memories that won't end.

                        So we bring to You, Your servant Bruce,

                        Submit him to Your care;

                        To live forever in Your home.

                        In time, we’ll join him there.

W.J.R.

11-30-'20

A memorial service for Bruce Wurdeman will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 11, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Hunter Street, Tyler, Texas. There will also be a livestream of the service on the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to:

With God’s Little Ones

428 Julian Pl., Kirkwood, MO 63122-2917

WGLO.org

Crossways International at Sola Publishing

P.O. Box 855

Graham, NC 27253

SolaPublishing.com

Trinity Lutheran Church – Outreach Ministry

2001 Hunter Street, Tyler, TX 75701