Bruce Grieme Obituary
Bruce Arnold Grieme was born January 31, 1950, in Alta, lowa to Lavonne and Arnold Grieme. He attended St John's Lutheran School through grade 8. He graduated from Alta High School in 1968. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1969 but received an honorable discharge due to health issues. He moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1974, where he met his wife Linda Hetlet. They were married after 8 short months, a marriage that lasted over 50 years, during which they were blessed with 4 beautiful children and 13 of the cutest and smartest grandchildren ever born (According to an unbiased Papa)
Bruce held a strong faith, sharing the love of Jesus with those he met, not only by his words but by his actions of helping others. He always said if I can do or say something to make someone's day a little brighter, I will.
One of his favorite things to do was playing and coaching softball. He coached both girls and boys slow pitch softball as well as playing and managing a men's team for many years. He was well known and loved by many players and umpires.
He suffered through 2 major cancers, but by God's grace was able to recover and was given 7 more years to enjoy the addition of 3 more grandchildren. We are forever grateful for those years, but when this final cancer diagnosis was made, he knew the fight was over and God was ready to take him home, and he was so ready to go. When people asked him how they could pray for him during this time, his answer was, "Just that it would come quickly and peacefully." His prayers were answered and we know his suffering is over and we will be seeing him again.
He worked in various jobs throughout his life including various sales jobs, and for the past 17 years owning a packaging and shipping store. If you measure a persons success by what wealth and possessions you have accumulated, then Bruce would not be considered successful, but if you measure it by the impact he had on others' lives and the legacy he leaves behind in his children, then you can hear Jesus saying, "Well done good and faithful servant!"
Bruce was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren; his parents, his mother and father-in-law, sister-in-law Carol Cope, brother-in-law Richard Cope, brother-in-law Dennis Hetlet; and sister-in-law Jean Hetlet. He is survived by his wife Linda, children Jennifer Payne (Chris); Jonathan Grieme (Jane), Jeffrey Grieme (Erin) and Jerod Grieme (Courtney) and 13 grandchildren, Jackson Payne, Maryn Payne, Faith Payne, Rylee Grieme, Harper Grieme, Lawson Grieme, Peyton Grieme, Wrigley Grieme, Porter Grieme, Emma Grieme, Charles Grieme, Winston Grieme, and Abigail Grieme, Sister Linda Nelson, Brother Brian (Penny) Grieme and brother-in-law Jerry Hetlet, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Visitation will be held 5-7 PM, Tuesday, August 26 at The Canton Barn, 28079 481st Ave, Canton, SD, and Funeral 11 AM, Wednesday, August 27 at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will take place at South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery.
The service will be livestreamed via zoom at
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89081010307?pwd=6i48bBtbMVLFHH8pXKHDLbuMaoDJPl.1
*music may not be heard due to copyright issues
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Published by KELOLAND on Aug. 24, 2025.