Bruce Harold Schwierske

MOUNT HOREB / SUN PRAIRIE - Bruce H. Schwierske, age 64, of Sun Prairie, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 2, 2025. He was born on September 12, 1960, to Frederick H. and Beverly (Knudson) Schwierske.

Bruce graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1979. He then earned a degree in journalism from UW-Madison with hopes of becoming a sports reporter. At one point, you could ask Bruce about many sporting events and he could accurately report the score and statistics on the spot; while others in his field might have to get back to you, long before the internet. He worked at Madison Newspapers during college but when full-time local openings weren’t available, he joined the U.S. Postal Service in 1984. Bruce started in the Minneapolis area and then transferred to the Madison east post office where he continued as a loyal employee for 31 years.

Bruce’s hobbies kept him on the move. Bruce traveled often, photographing trains in all 50 U.S. States and internationally, with many of his photos published in magazines and calendars. He was known for sending postcards along all of his travels and gifted annual train calendars of his most prized photos each year to his family and close friends, something they cherished and will miss dearly. Bruce also biked daily and usually timed his ride based on the sunrise, planning the perfect shot each day at his favorite places along the Madison lakes and bike paths.  

Bruce was a proud uncle, he helped hide Easter eggs, hauled his nieces and nephew up the sledding hill and even brought Rocky’s pizza to every Christmas Eve Celebration! He would show up to every sporting event he could, sometimes in the nosebleed seats but always with a big smile and camera in hand.

Bruce is survived by his siblings, Becky (Len) Betley, Frederick C. (Donna) Schwierske and Chuck (Cindy) Schwierske; his uncle, Allen Knudson; his nieces, Linda (Shawn) Ducat, Jamie Schwierske, Kelly Schwierske and Ella (Scott Smith) Schwierske; and his nephew, Eric Schwierske.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick H. Schwierske and Beverly (Knudson) Schwierske; uncles, Melbourne and Dennis Knudson; and grandparents, Melvin and Beulah (Johnson) Knudson, Frederick J.H. and Ella (Kuentz) Schwierske.

Per Bruce’s wishes there will be no funeral service. But his family will host a Celebration of Life in his honor on his birthday, Friday, September 12, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at KALSCHEUR PARK, 3734 County Road P, Cross Plains (Pine Bluff), Wis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of Bruce’s favorite charities, some include: Dane County Humane Society, Iowa County Humane Society, National Wildlife Federation, National Park Foundation, PBS Wisconsin and the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Bruce was a wonderful and caring son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077