Bruce Allen Bollerud
October 08, 1934 - August 11, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Bruce A. Bollerud, age 85, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on Oct. 8, 1934, on the home farm in Hollandale, Wis., the son of Orville and Selma (Venden) Bollerud.
Bruce attended rural grade school and graduated from Hollandale High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. Bruce married Gloria (Disch) Bollerud on March 25, 1961. He graduated from the UW-Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in special education and Master's Degree in counseling and guidance. He taught at Dane County Special Education for seven years and Middleton-Cross Plains School District for 19 years.
Bruce enjoyed music and played instruments most of his life, including the bandonion, piano, trombone and accordion. He played along with many local musicians: Herman Erickson, Johnny Homme, The Rhythm Ramblers, Dick Sherwood, Roger Bright, Vern Meisner, as well as with his own bands: The Good Time Band and The Goose Island Ramblers. He also enjoyed listening to music, reading, tracing the family tree, traveling, visiting friends and relatives and being with his family. Bruce is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gloria; sons, Jack Bollerud and Orville Bollerud. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private family service will be held, followed by a private burial at Roselawn Memorial Park. The public may visit drive through style from the comfort of your car at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Aug 19, 2020 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Bruce have been shared yet.
Memories
MS
Mary Stamm
Other •
Always enjoyed hearing Bruce play. Great musician.
CR
Chris Ruppenthal
Other •
Best wishes to the family in this sad time! I’m sad to hear that Bruce has passed away. I got to know him well over the last ten years or so. I’m sure I saw him play restaurant gigs earlier in my time in Madison. But more recently I would see him regularly at my gigs. He would even come alone in a taxi if his son couldn’t make it. Typically Bruce would sip a soda during the first set, tip well, and head home at intermission. We would always have a nice chat about new music or old records. He was always very supportive of me and my bands. I’ll miss him.
BJ
Brenda Jerrystenli
Other •
So sorry for your loss no he was a great man amen
M
Me
Other •
I listened to Bruce every night from my room upstairs at Glenn & Ann’s. When I did see Bruce he was always kind and respectful!! When I grew up I worked the night crowd and he packed the house every night he played! One of the many children of Glenn and Ann
CP
Cris Plata
Other •
It was always a great pleasure to talk music and accordions with Mr. Bollerud. It's one of my best memories, seeing him at my show in February of this year. His music is such a great gift he left for us all.
TK
Tom Klein
Other •
I am so sorry to hear that. I just talk to him a week or two ago with our usual check in about music and accordion‘s. He was a wonderful supportive person to talk about accordion‘s and music history. And he always had a number of songs to recommend to work on or listen to. Along with his history with the bandoneon accordion. I’m so sorry I just tried to call him last night.