A memorial service is at 11 a.m. Oct. 9, 2004, at Proko-Wall Funeral Homer, Green Bay, with Rev. James P. Neilson O. Praem officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Homer.

Bruce was born on Sept. 16, 1951, in Green Bay, Wis., the son of Lawrence and the late Helen (Coenen) Rentmeester. Bruce attended St. Mary of the Angels Grade School and was a 1969 graduate of Premontre High School. Bruce also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Kenai Peninsula College in Kenai.

Bruce left Green Bay in 1974, hitchhiking to Alaska through a snowstorm to work on the Alaska pipeline. He stayed in Alaska, ultimately working as an operations technician for British Petroleum on the North Slope for 15 years. Bruce met the former Vicki Kroeger in Homer in 1985. On Nov. 14, 1990, Bruce married Vicki in her hometown of Jefferson City, Mo.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Bruce came to love and respect him as a very intelligent, independent, genuine person who cared deeply about his wife, his family and his friends. His generosity was evident to those who came in contact with him. Bruce and Vicki enjoyed entertaining visitors to Alaska, taking them sight-seeing, clamming, fishing, hiking, boating and showing them around Alaska.

Bruce enjoyed many hobbies and interests ranging from hunting, fishing and snowmobiling to working with construction equipment to real estate development. Bruce was talented in many ways -- an accomplished craftsman who built his own home, a successful businessman who started projects from scratch and most importantly, a genuine friend who enjoyed being with people, who could listen intently and solve problems, and was impatient with anyone who didn't reach for the stars as he had.

"I would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic and in Homer who cared for Bruce for their dedicated professionalism and compassionate care and for all those who prayed for Bruce and his recovery," said his wife, Vicki.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Vicki; his father, Lawrence Rentmeester, Green Bay, Wis.; four brothers and three sisters-in-law Ken and Ruth Rentmeester, Middleton, Wis.; Greg and Lynn Rentmeester, Green Bay; John Rentmeester, Green Bay; Roy and Gwen Rentmeester, Denmark, Wis.; two sisters and one brother-in-law Jane Rentmeester, Green Bay; Kaye and Steve Schneider, Ledgeview; and by Vicki's sister, Elaine Herring and her husband, Bruce, Leavenworth, Kansas. He is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Rentmeester; father- and mother-in-law, Joe and Mary Lou Kroeger; brother-in-law, Jody Kroeger; and sister-in-law, Kathy Rentmeester.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.