Bruce Paul Stelter

Bruce Paul Stelter, 69, of Bismarck, passed away peacefully on Feb. 10, 2026, at Missouri Slope. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home.

There will be a gathering on Wednesday March, 25, at the Broadway Grill from 5-7 p.m.

Bruce was a joyful soul whose warm smile, gentle spirit, and boundless affection touched his family and countless friends throughout his life.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 26 at Bismarck Funeral Home, with lunch to follow. If weather permits, burial will take place later that afternoon in the family plot at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in New Leipzig. Cremation has taken place.

Bruce was born May 22, 1956, at the Elgin hospital, the youngest of four sons born to Henry and Hilda (Schramm) Stelter. Diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome, Bruce entered a world that did not always understand or embrace people with disabilities. Yet from the very beginning, he was surrounded by the steadfast love of his family, who saw in him what everyone who met him would later discover, a heart full of joy and a spirit that brought people together.

After his father, Henry, passed away when Bruce was just 5 years old, his mother, Hilda, continued raising her children while operating the family grocery store in New Leipzig. Bruce delighted in visiting relatives and especially cherished time spent on the farms of his uncles and aunts, Sam and Adeline Schramm and Adolph and Martha Kallis. Extended family and caring neighbors helped ensure Bruce was always surrounded by support and kindness.

In 1968, Hilda sold the family store and devoted herself fully to securing the best opportunities for Bruce’s education, care, and independence. She worked at the Grafton State School and later moved with Bruce to Bismarck as services for individuals with developmental disabilities shifted into community settings. Bruce lived both in group homes and with his mother, who was a tireless advocate not only for him but for others, earning recognition in 1978 as the state’s outstanding parent for her advocacy work. Bruce traveled often with his mother and later with family members. He treasured visits to his brother Rodger and sister-in-law Linda when they lived in Liberty, MO.

Following Hilda’s death, Bruce continued building a full and meaningful life in group homes in Mandan and Bismarck. He worked at Pride Inc., cleaning hotel rooms and later participating at the Pride training facility. He took great pride in his work and especially enjoyed receiving his paycheck. Bruce loved going to dances and movies with his girlfriend, Diane, and he embraced every opportunity to be active in the community. A devoted participant in Special Olympics, Bruce competed in bocce ball, basketball, and other sports. He loved music and was an enthusiastic fan of local and professional sports teams.

His joy was contagious, nowhere more evident than during a 2007 road trip with his brother Stan and grandson Luke Morgan. The trip included a visit with Rodger and Linda in Overland Park, KS, a tour of the Kansas City Royals’ ballpark, and stops at Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry, and Sun Studio in Memphis. At Sun Studio, Bruce delighted fellow tourists by grabbing a microphone and belting out an Elvis tune, earning applause and laughter. It was a perfect reflection of his fearless joy and love of life.

After a stroke in 2021 and the onset of dementia, Bruce’s world became smaller, but his gentle nature remained. He moved to an Enable Inc. group home and later to Missouri Slope in February 2024 as his medical needs increased. The family is deeply grateful to the caring staff at Pride, Enable, and Missouri Slope for treating Bruce not just as a resident, but as someone truly special and dearly loved.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wayne; and twin sisters who died at birth. He is survived by his brothers Rodger (Linda) of Overland Park and Stan (Deb) of Bismarck; nieces and nephews Philip (Linda) of Brooklyn, NY, Janel Stelter-Embry (Ben) of Prairie Village, KS, Lisa McLeod (Tater) of Audubon, MN, Blair of Mesa, AZ, Shannon LeFebre of Hettinger, Shawn (Chanda) of Bismarck, and Ryan Sims (Janelle) of Bismarck. as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

Bruce’s life was a testament to unconditional love, resilience, and joy. He taught those around him to celebrate small victories, to sing boldly, and to greet each day with a smile.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Pride, Enable, or Special Olympics.