Bruce Adams

Bruce Joel Adams went to Heaven on May 22, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, ND. A funeral will take place on Friday, May 30 at 2 pm at Mandan United Methodist Church, 610 12th St NW, Mandan, ND.

Bruce was born in Bismarck, ND, on February 22, 1961, to Eugene and Elda Adams. They lived in Bismarck until moving to Tappen, ND, in 1970. Bruce graduated from Tappen High School in 1979. He then went on to Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD, where he met the love of his life, Cathy Bolen. They both had a love of music and served on a college ministry team together. He graduated with degrees in Psychology and Religion. During college summers, he did youth ministry in Fairfield, Iowa. Bruce and Cathy married on June 4, 1983. Then they moved to Starkweather, ND, for one year of church ministry before going to seminary in Sioux Falls, SD, at North American Baptist Seminary. During seminary, he continued youth ministry in Sioux Falls. Bruce graduated with his Master of Divinity in 1987.

Alongside his wife Cathy, he dedicated his entire working career to serving as a pastor with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was ordained a Deacon in 1987 and became a fully ordained Elder with the United Methodist Church in 1989. They faithfully served the churches in Starkweather and Hampden, ND; Ellis and Brothersfield, SD; Kulm and Jud, ND; Kulm and Edgeley, ND; Faulkton and Seneca, SD; Lead, SD; and Mandan, ND. Throughout his years of ministry, they also dedicated many summers to camping ministry at Lehr Bible Camp and Storm Mountain Center. He also served on conference committees with the board of camping, conference finance, youth ministry, and the District Committee on Ministry. He was also inducted into the Youth Worker Hall of Fame.

Bruce committed his whole life to loving and serving God, his family, and others. He had great wisdom and forward vision whether it be in ministry or building projects. He was also very active in the communities he lived in including Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Club, volunteer ambulance driver, school bus driver, and volunteer fireman. He was likely to be found in the church kitchen doing dishes, moving tables and chairs, making the coffee even though he never drank it, doing anything that needed done, and visiting people where ever they may be.

Bruce and Cathy built a beautiful life together and are blessed with two daughters: Calli (and Nicholas) Hanson and Amy Adams. Bruce was proud of his family. He was very excited to take on the title of Grandpa to grandson Elliott!

Bruce loved jokes and stories! He enjoyed spending time with close and extended family and if food was involved, even better! He had a sweet tooth and often brought a box of chocolate covered donuts to coffee group or Bible study. He loved to sing and play guitar. Bruce and Cathy sang together a lot over the years. He loved building projects, camping, grilling, working on cars, tinkering in the garage, bicycle riding, listening to the local KNDR Christian radio station, doing yard work, enjoying his backyard while sitting on his bench, and helping people move. He also enjoyed playing basketball in his early years. He had the biggest smile and spread joy to everyone he talked to.

The last month of his life was hard for him as his health did not allow him to be at church and helping others. He especially missed the Wonderful Wednesday children’s ministry kids. Even in the hospital, he was ministering to those around him and asking the hospital staff where they go to church.

Most of all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus. Even though his time on this earth was too short for us, he was ready to meet the Lord because he knew where he was going - where there is no more sickness, death, pain, or sorrow. He lived his life so that others would know Jesus and he would want our memories of him to continue to point people to Jesus.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Cathy Adams, his daughters Calli (and Nicholas) Hanson, and Amy Adams, and his grandson Elliott. His brothers Ken Adams of Wahpeton, ND, Loren Adams of Dickinson, ND, and James (and Rebecca) Adams of Pipe Creek, TX, sister-in-law Lorna Bolen of Sioux Falls, SD, and brother-in-law Darrell Bolen of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles.

He joins his family in Heaven of his parents Eugene and Elda Adams, in-laws Donald and Irene Bolen, sister-in-law Darlene Stanford Adams, brother-in-law Dennis Bolen, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and multiple beloved family dogs.