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Layne Bruse was born on November 14, 1963, in Valley City, ND. She was the youngest of six children born to Marlyn and Estelle (Haarsager) Bruse of Litchville, ND. She grew up on the family farm south of Litchville, where she developed a love of writing and drawing, and a very special bond with nature and animals. Whether it was riding her horse, Cheyenne, or playing with a new batch of baby kittens, all animals held a special place in Conni’s heart. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Litchville and graduated from Litchville High School in 1982.
She furthered her education at Valley City State College and Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, working at the Grand Forks County Social Services Center in Grand Forks at the completion of her studies. In 1989, she moved to Pensacola Beach, FL and worked as a secretary for an engineering firm. Pensacola Beach is well known for its snow-white sand, and a perfect day for Conni was walking along the beach and finding an unbroken shell. In 1995, she moved to Superior, WI, and attended the University of MN – Duluth, graduating in 1999 with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Upon graduating, she moved to Madison, WI, and worked for the Department of Natural Resources. She then moved to Anchorage, AK, in 2001 and found a job in the Budget and Finance Department for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency. The beautiful Alaska outdoors provided Conni with ample opportunities to enjoy some of her favorite activities, such as hiking and photographing scenery and wildlife. She enjoyed her drive to work each day with the mountains as her backdrop on her ride. Conni shared her space with two special companions, her cats Lena and Hammie. She returned to Litchville in June, 2014, to be in her family’s loving care.
Conni will be greatly missed by her siblings, Jane Traub, Grand Forks, ND and her sons Barry (Rachel) and Joel (Savanna Sagvold) , David (Shelly) Bruse , Litchville, ND and their children Tony (Kristen), Cody and Leah, Craig (Lauri Skoge) Bruse, Litchville, ND and their daughter Cara (Dustin Batsch), Brenda Bruse, Grand Forks, ND, Lynelle (Kelly Rudolph) Bruse, Pierz, MN, and her sons Bryan (Heidi) Bruse, Benji (Samantha Green) Ebertowski, and Kelly’s daughter McKenzie, step-mother Viola (Dolly) (Ken) Hoelmer, Valley City, ND, great-nieces and nephews , Avery, Owen and Emma Traub, Hailey Batsch, Kenley and Andrew Bruse, Jaden Lindeman, Jackson Bruse, and Colten Ebertowski, step-siblings Tracy (Don) Sortland, Kelli Kourajian, Jim (Debi) and Randy Schwehr, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her cat Hammie. She was preceded in death by her parents and her maternal and paternal grandparents, and her cat Lena.
Conni died at home on September 11, 2014, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 on September 20, at the Litchville Community Center, Litchville, ND. Interment will be at the Litchville cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Mercy Home Health Care and Hospice of Valley City or the animal shelter of your choice. Blessed be the memory of Conni Layne Bruse.
An online guest book is available at lerudschuldt.com.