Alvin L. "Strawberry" Bruse, age 70, of Brentford, S.D., died April 17, 2006, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held at the Legion Hall in Brentford, S.D., on Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 2 p.m.

Alvin was born Sept. 26, 1935, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Alva J. and Florentena Bruse. The family moved to Brentford, S.D., at age nine where he lived most of his life. He joined the US Army in 1953, and served overseas in Japan. Was honorably discharged in 1957. Alvin worked in the farming industry a good share of his life. He enjoyed the land and watching the crops as they came up and were harvested. He enjoyed a special working and personal relationship with Ron Clemensen on the Clemensen farm between Conde and Brentford. He also worked at South Dakota Wheat Growers in Mellette and Northern Electric in Aberdeen.

Alvin is survived by two brothers, Henry "Hank" Bruse, Phoenix, Ariz., and Robert (Bob) Bruse, Sparta, Wis.; five sisters, Mrs. Frank (Mildred) Kent, Walla Walla, Wash., Mrs. Jim (Donna) Swift, Clarkston, Wash., Mrs. James (Ida) Tingle, Missoula, Mont., Belvera Bruse, Walla Walla, Wash., and Mrs. Robert (Margaret) Nickisch, Sturgis, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, LeRoy Bruse and Francis "Frank" Bruse.