M. Bruce Alexander, age 76, of Loomis, SD died Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at his home. He was a lifetime artist and became a self-employed wood carver. He created wildlife carvings for clients all over the World, specializing in fireplace mantels and wood panels for doors and desks. Bruce completed over 500 works for satisfied customers in more than 30 states and a dozen foreign countries! He will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made all over the world.

Specializing in realistic wildlife and outdoor scenes, Bruce worked directly with each client from concept to completion. Customers saw their ideas translated into a truly magnificent and singular piece of art... a headboard for the bedroom, panels for bookcases, desks, or mantles. Painstakingly hand crafted by Bruce Alexander in his Dakota prairie studio, each custom masterpiece was designed exclusively for his clients. Customers personalized their trophy rooms, dens, offices, or bedrooms with stunning, one-of-a-kind carvings.

Bruce was born June 28, 1939 in Camden, NJ. He grew up in Camden where he received his schooling. Bruce served in the US Navy from 1958 to 1962 on the USS Des Moines. After he was honorably discharged, Bruce owned and operated a gas station near Camden, NJ and later worked at a manufacturing factory in Philadelphia, PA. He then worked in the restaurant and beverage industry in New Jersey, while working there Bruce met his future wife.

The couple moved to Loomis South Dakota in 1976. In Mitchell, he was employed at the Holiday Inn as the food and beverage manager. Bruce later was employed by Reinhart Foods, Maxwell Supply, managed the First Edition Restaurant in Sioux Falls and then managed the Moose Lodge in Mitchell. In the early 1990's he worked at Bauer Dental in Mitchell where he honed his carving skills. In 1992, Bruce began wood carving full time.

He served on the Davison Rural Water Board since its inception in 1983 until the summer of 2015, when his health forced him to resign his position. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Board from May 1993 until December 2014. Bruce also represented Davison rural Water on the SD Rural Water Association Board for many years on the state finance committee.

Bruce also loved restoring Corvair's and was a member of the Nationwide Corvair Forum. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Vonda Alexander, Loomis, SD; a son, Daniel (Mary) Alexander, Mitchell, SD; a step son, Mike Duffy, Mitchell, SD; a daughter, Chrissy Pierson, Woodside, DE; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three sisters-in-laws; numerous nieces and nephews.