Bruce W. LaFriniere

Bruce LaFriniere, 57, of Mahnomen, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023 at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN surrounded by his family.
A wake will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023 at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Nay Tah Waush, Minnesota with a vigil service at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church. Interment will be held at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Nay Tah Waush, Minnesota. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Bruce was born on July 15, 1965 to John and Barbara (Goodwin) LaFriniere in Mahnomen, MN. He attended school at Bagley and Mahnomen High School and later earned his GED before he went on to college at Detroit Lakes for architectural drafting. Bruce went into the Army and was stationed in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. When his service was complete, he came back to the Bagley area and worked at Hillside Lumber for many years. Bruce later moved to Mahnomen and worked at the Shooting Star Casino as a Black Jack dealer and Pit Boss. Recently, he received his certificate for Solar Panel Installation from White Earth Tribal Community College.
Bruce became a dad at a young age to his eldest son, Brandon.
Bruce married the love of his life, Cheryl Azure, on June 3, 1989 at Nee Gon Nee Church in Roy Lake, MN. Together they raised their three children, Sheena, Shauna, and Jonathan, in the Roy Lake area. The couple later divorced.
Bruce had a fun sense of humor and loved to tease people and give them nicknames. He enjoyed playing Bingo at the casino, Poker, and cribbage as well as hunting, fishing, and camping. He always looked forward to spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his children, Brandon Rogers of the Twin Cities, MN, Sheena Azure of Mahnomen, MN, and Shauna LaFriniere of Bagley, MN; his special grandson, Cameron; his grandchildren, Caiden, Avery, Amayah, Shaun, Jr., Iyana, Alauna, Andre, Justin, Jr., Jazzmine, Jonathan, Jr. and Tarren; his mother, Barb "Bobbi" LaFriniere of Bagley, MN; his siblings, Lynette (Michael) Thompson of Bagley, MN, Jody LaFriniere of Bagley, MN, Chad (Jen) Guinn of Mahnomen, MN, Tanya Vold of Bemidji, MN, and Scott LaFriniere of Bagley, MN; his step mom, Anita Guinn of Mahnomen, MN; his special niece, Amanda "Mandy Moo" LaFriniere; his special cousin, Lisa Brunner of Mahnomen, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family.
He was preceded in death by his dad, John LaFriniere; his son, Jonathan LaFriniere; his brother, Jeffrey LaFriniere; his sister, Angel LaFriniere; his ex-wife, Cheryl LaFriniere; his maternal grandparents, Hazel and Stanley Goodwin; his paternal grandparents, Floyd and Gert LaFriniere; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.