Michael Ervin Bruss, 45

A lifelong resident of Post Falls, a man who touched the lives of all who knew him, Michael ‘Mike’ Bruss left this earth on January 30, 2014.

Mike enjoyed the simple things in life. In his youth, Mike loved spending summer days at Q’emlin Park, fishing the local lakes and waterways, camping and hiking in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, floating the Coeur d’Alene and Clark Fork Rivers, playing basketball and baseball, and sleeping out on a blanket under the stars.

Mike shared many adventures with his closest friends and family. In the summer of 1988, Mike took his first of many backpacking trips to Cove Lakes in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. He so loved the beauty and splendor of the region that he wished to be returned there after his passing.

Mike was an Assistant Scoutmaster in 1997. He participated in taking the boys on a 50-mile backpacking trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, on a camping trip to Glacier National Park, and on a tour of Bangor Sub Base on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Mike loved visiting retired lookout towers. The peace and serenity of being close to the heavens and far from the problems of the world brought great joy to his heart.

When Mike was 40, he went with his two friends of similar age on a 40-mile hike from the Lochsa River, through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, to the Selway River. The three friends liked to call it the ‘40-40.’ Mike’s greatest act of heroism came on day five of the hike, when his friends had to stop the hike suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. Mike, also suffering from dehydration, charged down the hill to the creek below and returned with a pot of water, saving the lives of his friends.

Mike was bored by inactivity. He spent many summers mountain-biking, kayaking, camping, rafting, backpacking, four-wheeling on his quad, and playing disc golf at Corbin Park and Faragut State Park. In the winter he enjoyed snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Mike never claimed to be athletic, but had amazing strength and dexterity. He always won at activities like disc golf, billiards, and darts. His natural strength earned him the nickname ‘Ogre’ from his high school friends.

Mike didn’t have a whole lot of money to share, but he would gladly give you his time just for the price of asking. He was one-of-a-kind; he is irreplaceable. 

Mike was employed by Napa Auto Parts and Post Falls Mazda.

Mike is survived by his sisters: Krissy Elder, of St. Maries, ID; Debbie Bean, of Coeur d’Alene; Phyllis "Cookie" Raper, of Weaver, Ala., and brother-in-spirit, Troy Cuff of Hayden, ID.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Bruss, of Post Falls, ID; father Arnold Bruss, Sr., of Rathdrum, ID; sister Tandace (Tandy) Holbert; and brother, Arnold (Butchie) Bruss, Jr. of Coeur d’Alene.

No memorial services will be held. Friends and family will be gathering for a Celebration of Life Party at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23, at 7244 W. Nighthawk Dr., in Post Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made for a Memorial Park Bench that will be placed at Corbin Park. Please contact a family member if you would like to contribute.

More often than not, Mike was our hero on earth. Now, Mike is our guardian angel in heaven.