Bruce Benhart Salmela

Bruce Benhart Salmela, 71, of Duluth, passed away after a lengthy struggle with cancer on April 28, 2024, at Solvay Hospice House, with his wife of nearly 50 years at his side, holding his hand. He was born on April 14, 1953, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Ben and Vi (Isola) Salmela. After the death of his father in 1960, Bruce moved with his mother and two sisters to Sebeka, Minnesota. Bruce graduated from Sebeka High School in 1971, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. He went on to earn degrees in Physical Education and Health Education at UMD. He married his wife, Karen, in 1974, and they were blessed with three children. Bruce worked for United Parcel Service for over 30 years, until his retirement in 2012. A man of many hobbies, Bruce enjoyed photography, bike riding, and restoring old motorcycles and snowmobiles. He collected wooden baseball bats, leather baseball gloves, and vinyl record albums. He loved hit-and-miss engines. He loved his children and tirelessly attended their sporting events, whether soccer, baseball, hockey, or track, often serving as coach. After retiring from UPS he could be found nearly every morning at the gym, working out with the friends he made there. His playful and mischievous sense of humor was legendary. He was an animal lover, and his dog, Gunther, is still looking for him to come home. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Vi, and grandson, Robert Leo Salmela. Bruce is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Liz Salmela (Thor Pakosz), Ben (Robin) Salmela, Mike (Mandy) Salmela; sisters, Julie (Leon) Tuominen, Linda (Dennis) Bradley; grandchildren, Enzo Pakosz, Lucy Pakosz, Mason Salmela, Marek Salmela, Isla Salmela; other family and friends; and a host of brothers and sisters in faith. The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers of Essentia Hospice and Solvay Hospice House for the tender care they provided to Bruce and his family. The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2024, with visitation one hour prior, beginning at 10 a.m. at Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 6273 Old Highway 2, Duluth, MN. Burial will take place at Oneota Cemetery, Duluth. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.