Bruce Earl Tolzmann, age 85, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday August 23, 2026, at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 17, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, with funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral at Redwood Falls Cemetery, and a dinner will be served in the church basement following burial.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bruce was born on February 16, 1941, in Mankato, Minnesota, son of Aldo (Tom) and Eleanor (Diesch) Tolzmann. Bruce graduated from Mankato High School in 1959 and attended Mankato State University before graduating from Brown Institute of Broadcasting, Minneapolis, in 1963.

Bruce moved to Roseau, Minnesota, in 1963 to help launch the new radio station KRWB. He married Diane (Wold) on November 8, 1963, at Moe Lutheran Church. Together they shared 62 years of marriage.

Bruce was a radio broadcaster for nearly 40 years. One of his most memorable experiences was being an on-air neophyte at KRWB when former President John F. Kennedy was shot. He played somber music as information was gathered before announcing the president’s death. He spent 35 years of his career at KLGR in Redwood Falls, as sports and eventually, news director. He believed strongly in impartial reporting. He interviewed politicians and famous people, including a memorable discussion with nationally syndicated commentator Paul Harvey, who used his fingers to mess with Bruce’s hair moments before the live interview, just to lighten the moment. 

Bruce was an avid sports fan, especially Minnesota Twins baseball. He attended the very first Twins and Minnesota Vikings inaugural games in 1961. He announced high school hockey games in Roseau and high school football and basketball for Redwood Falls High School. He announced many state high school basketball tournament games and for years was the Redwood Speedway track announcer.

Bruce was a pillar in the Redwood Falls community, serving as an elected county commissioner for 6 years. He also volunteered as an election judge for many election cycles in his later years. He also was a central figure at St. John Lutheran Church, including years served as church council president.

Bruce and his wife Diane, often reflected on noteworthy stories about traveling to Germany and other European nations from their multiple trips overseas. 

Bruce’s dedication to family and faith are hallmarks of his legacy, along with adoration for the community he served.

Bruce is survived by his wife Diane, and their family: son Michael and grandson Theodore Tolzmann, son Jason Tolzmann, daughter Shannon Tolzmann and son-in-law Daniel Heckmann; his sister, Cheryl (David) Christofferson, brother Paul (Ginger) Tolzmann, sister Mary (Larry) Bobholz, and sister-in-law Denise (Gary) Tolzmann.

He is preceded in death by his parents Aldo (Tom) and Eleanor Tolzmann and brother Gary Tolzmann.