Bruce Travis, 49, of Fairbanks, Alaska, formerly of Platte, SD, passed away Friday, June 8, 2012 at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Memorial Services will be held for Bruce at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, June 18, 2012 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fairbanks. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 22, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Platte. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 21, 2012 with a 7:00 P.M. Wake Service followed by a Rosary.

Bruce Christopher Travis was born October 12, 1962 to Leo and Ann (Vasicka) Travis in Platte, SD. He attended “country school” at Pleasant Grove and graduated from Platte High School in 1980. After serving in the US Army, he returned to Platte where he farmed with his father and brothers, Tom and Rocky. Bruce loved to hunt and trap, and displayed his talent through his taxidermy. He enjoyed fishing and spending time on the Missouri River, and built his own canoe. From the time he was a young boy, through his adult life, Bruce loved animals of all kinds, but especially dogs. As a youngster, if Bruce went missing, one only had to look for the dog to find Bruce. An ardent reader of Jack London books, combined with his love of the outdoors, and cooler weather, he journeyed north to Alaska. He returned to South Dakota for a period of time and wed Kelli Walker, with whom he had two daughters, Kennedi and Madison. He graduated from Mitchell Area Tech in 1993 where he received a degree in HVAC and worked for various companies in South Dakota and Wyoming. The call of Alaska drew him north again. He resided in Kotzebue and eventually settled in Fairbanks where he was proudly employed as an HVAC Technician for the University of Alaska – Fairbanks Facilities Services. In 2009, he married Sara Lundemo, with whom he had two daughters, Megan and Fiona, and a step-son, Mike. An extremely handy and talented person, Bruce also continued with his dream to build a log cabin in the woods of Alaska.

Bruce will be remembered for many exceptional and positive qualities that made him dearly loved by everyone in his life. He was an adoring husband and father, son and brother. He was a dependable and strong man who was extremely kind and patient, and always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Sara; four daughters: Kennedi (19), Madison (12) both of Platte, SD, Megan (6) and Fiona (2) of Fairbanks, AK and one step-son, Mike (14) of Longview, TX.

Grateful for having shared in Bruce’s life: his parents, Leo and (the late) Ann Travis; five siblings: Tom and Barb Travis of Platte, SD; Diane and Gary Jacobsen of Hot Springs, SD; Marcene and Tom Masur of Geddes, SD; Donna Travis of Platte, SD and Rocky and Natalie Travis of Fort Collins, CO; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Ann and his grandparents.

In honor of Bruce, a memorial education fund for his daughters has been established. Donations may be directed to: Northrim Bank, c/o Bruce C. Travis Memorial Fund, 360 Merhar Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Affiliations