Bruce Jay Nytroe
July 18, 1950 ~ September 28, 2025
Bruce J. Nytroe, 75, Brandon, SD, died at his home on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025, with a Memorial Service beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon. The family requests that guests wear camo, wrestling, or racing attire to honor Bruce’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Brandon Fire Department in Bruce’s memory.
Bruce Jay Nytroe was born on July 18, 1950, in South Dakota to Kermit and Elaine (Peterson) Nytroe. He grew up in Crooks until the family moved to Brandon in 1962. Bruce spent the rest of his life living in Brandon.
In 1981, Bruce met Cathy Makowsky at a Valentine’s Day party. They married on September 25, 1982, in Brandon where they raised their two sons, Jared and Brandon. Bruce had several jobs, most notably for Building Products. After one year of retirement, Cathy told him to go back to work because he was driving her nuts at home. He then worked for Marv’s Sanitary in Brandon until his bad knees forced him into retirement again. Not wanting to stay home, Bruce then worked summers for Minnehaha County doing roadwork until ill health finally made him retire.
Bruce volunteered on the Brandon Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT from 1979 to 2002. He participated in dart and bowling leagues and built model cars. He enjoyed dirt track racing and even raced himself and pitted for many years. He cherished camping and fishing with Cathy and Brandi. Bruce was so proud of Jared and his (so far) 22 years of dirt track racing, and of Brandon becoming a professional wrestler and turning his life around.
Grateful for having shared Bruce’s life are his wife of 43 years, Cathy Elizabeth Nytroe; sons Jared (Amanda) Nytroe, Brandon, Brandon (Haleigh) Nytroe, Sioux Falls, and David Nytroe, Sioux Falls; special nephew, Brian Sabia, Sioux Falls; 11 grandchildren, Brandi, Novah, Tinsley, Ember, AJ, Aslee, Jasper, Jaxon, Faith, Phillip and Sincere; sisters, Bonnie (Gene) Schumaker, Sioux Falls, Barb (Jim) Schartz, Brandon, and Brenda Lape, Brandon; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and the many friends he cherished throughout his life.
Bruce was preceded in death by his grandson, Kamden Nytroe; father and mother, Kermit and Elaine; sisters, Betty Dansman, and Beverly (Rick) Blue; father and mother-in-law, George and Musazettia Makowsky; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheryl and John Beauvic; and nieces, Sierra Petersen and Leisha Watkins.
I am so deeply sorry for the passing of BRUCE. My husband ,Michael Severson and his father Myron, were very connected to the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department. There was always many conversations with Bruce whenever we saw him. He was always kind and talked about cars with Michael.
My condolences to Cathy ,his family and many friends.
Jean Lowery ( Severson)
I love you papa
I was so very sad to hear that Bruce had passed away. He and my dad were close friends. My condolences to his entire family. He was a wonderful person. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.