Bruce Lawler Meyer, age 57, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Wednesday June 29 ^th 2011 at his home in Bemidji. Bruce was born on January 3, 1954 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester to Robert and Beatrice Meyer.  He graduated from Mayo High School in 1972 and attended Rochester Community College. Bruce was a 1977 Cum Laude graduate of Winona State University and ultimately completed his Masters in Business Administration in 1980. Upon obtaining his MBA, he was employed as an assistant manager at Alco Discount Stores in Portales, New Mexico before returning to Minnesota and attending law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1986. Bruce was proud to have written for the Law Review while at William Mitchell.

Bruce worked as a Realtor in Rochester from 1978 to 1980. He was an insurance adjuster with GAB in Kankakee, IL from 1980 to 1981. He worked at North American Life and Casualty and at the Minneapolis law firm of Sahr, Kunert and Tambornino before coming to Bemidji. Bruce came to Bemidji in 1989 and joined Woodke Law Office as an associate. In 1995 he became a shareholder in the firm and with Robert Woodke, entered into a partnership with Mike Brouse, forming the new firm: Brouse, Woodke, and Meyer, P.L.L.P. He remained a shareholder until his death.

Bruce was a former member of the Bemidji Jaycees and Bemidji Lions Club. He enjoyed brewing homemade beer and was a member of the Boreal Brewers Club in Bemidji. Bruce was an Eagle Scout and occasionally volunteered to help with district Boy Scouting events. Bruce enjoyed traveling both in the United States and abroad. He was an avid down-hill skier and most winter weekends he could be found on the slopes of Buena Vista. He also took trips to the Western United States to enjoy his love of skiing. When weather was warmer he often spent time at Lake Bemidji or Itasca State Park. An avid reader, Bruce could be found perched on a bench with a good book most evenings or weekends.

He deeply loved the outdoors and from a young age, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating on the Mississippi, and traveling. He especially loved visiting his family in Rochester.

Bruce is survived by his mother Beatrice Meyer of Rochester, a sister, Bonnie (Robert) Schreader of Oronoco, two brothers, Brian (Cheryl) Meyer of Rochester and Brad (Dolores) Meyer of Caramel, IN, Nieces, Nicole, Sarah and Valerie Schreader and Erin and Emily Meyer and nephews: Josh, Travis, and Drew Meyer. He is preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

A memorial service for Bruce will be held on Saturday, July 9 ^th , 2011 at 10:00AM at the original Macken Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Kevin Connolly Officiating. Visitation will be held one half-hour prior to services at Macken Funeral Home.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements

Online condolences may be given at www.mackenfuneralhome.com