Bruce Martin Hoyt, age 70, of Walnut Grove, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center – Sioux Falls, surrounded by family. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 13, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Walnut Grove. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the services. Interment will be held in the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery. A livestream will be posted to the church’s YouTube page. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Olaf endowment fund. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bruce Martin Hoyt was born February 25, 1956, to Leslie and Doris (Kleven) Hoyt in Tracy, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and graduated in 1976 from Walnut Grove Public School, where he lettered in football. Bruce was a flight coordinator in the Army and served at multiple locations over his four years in the military. Bruce held strong family values, helping others get their chores done so they could play football and kick-the-can together. Playing outside with his siblings and cousins hold some of the deepest memories of joy. He worked multiple jobs as he traveled around the Midwest: security in Rapid City, SD, building furniture in Wabasso, MN, working on the railroad, and at a turkey plant in Marshall, MN. Bruce returned to Walnut Grove in the last year to be closer to family and to celebrate his faith with the congregation at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. His 70th birthday was celebrated at Country View Nursing Home with angel food cake and ice cream. Friends and family heard him talk about how much he enjoyed his 70th birthday party for weeks. Bruce was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Walnut Grove Legion, and Brainerd Legion. He loved Gunsmoke, which would always be playing if you visited him on Saturdays or Sundays. When he got together with his siblings, they would play competitive card games like pinochle and cribbage. Bruce was a dedicated Vikings fan who also enjoyed fishing and socializing.
Bruce is survived by his siblings: Annette (Tom) Good of Staples, MN, Dave (Wanda) Hoyt of Walnut Grove, MN, Curtis (Bonnie) Hoyt of Hermosa, SD, & Jim Hoyt of Walnut Grove, MN; nieces & nephews: Tony Good, Melissa (Joel) Stachovich, Trevor (Cassie) Good, Tim (Tarah) Hoyt, Angela (Nathan) Anderson, Adam (Deanna) Hoyt, Jason Hoyt, & Beth (Chris) Hoyt; aunt & uncle: Roann & Larry Axdahl; and many other family and friends. He is preceded by his parents, Leslie & Doris Hoyt.
