Bruce Alan Atkins
Bruce Alan Atkins, 79, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026 in the comfort of his home.
He was born June 14, 1947 on Washington Island, the son of Charles Leonard "Len" Atkins and Shirley Fay (Bjarnarson) Atkins. Bruce grew up attending Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island and graduated from Washington Island High School with the class of 1965. He went on to study industrial safety at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he earned his bachelor's degree.
Bruce served his country with the United States Army in Vietnam, entering into active service on December 23, 1968. He was honorably discharged from the Army on November 4, 1970 with the rank of Specialist 4, and through his service, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and earned an Overseas Bar as well as the Expert Qualification on the M-16 Rifle. Bruce remained on reserve status with the Army until December 22, 1974.
Following his discharge, he returned home to Door County and moved to Sturgeon Bay. Bruce began his working career with Peterson Builders, Inc. as a safety director and remained with the company until 1989. He established the North Star Carwash on N. 14th Avenue in 1975 and the Super Wash on Egg Harbor Road in 1988, both in Sturgeon Bay. Bruce owned and operated those until his retirement in 2017.
He attended Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay and was a member of the Gislason-Richter American Legion Post 402 on Washington Island. Bruce played for the Islanders baseball team in the Door County League for 21 years as an infielder and pitcher. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting (squirrels, rabbits, deer), fishing, and golfing.
Bruce will be missed by his children, Len (Stephanie) Atkins of the Town of Union and Kathy Atkins of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren, Gabrielle (fiancée, Lily Ertel) Atkins and Jacqlyn Atkins, Miah (special friend, Grant) Haberli, Kody (special friend, Lauren) Haberli, and Ruby Haberli; sister, Sheila (Tad) Hansen of the Town of Sevastopol; sister-in-law, Anne Nantelle of Marion; niece, Laurie (Tim) Daffron of Martinsburg, WV; his special friend, Nancy Schram of Little Harbor; his good friend, Tim Jutila of Sturgeon Bay, who to Bruce's children, will always be "Uncle" Tim; other relatives; and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Len (1978) and Shirley (2021); stepfather, Jacob Ellefson (2019); infant son, Ronald "Ronnie" Atkins (1968); brother, Terry Atkins (1981); and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1763 Townline Road, Washington Island, WI 54246 with Pastor Ed Baseman officiating. Military honors by the United States Army and the Gislason-Richter American Legion Post 402 will follow at the church. Bruce will be laid to rest near his parents in the Town of Washington Cemetery.
Visitations for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Washington Island with the memorial service to follow. Military honors will be observed at the church following the service, with a private family committal at the island cemetery. A time of fellowship and a shared meal will then follow in Trinity’s Fellowship Hall.
Memorials may be given in Bruce's name for the Honor Flight Network (P.O. Box L-4016, Columbus, OH 43260-4016; www.honorflight.org/donate).
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Bruce may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.
