Bruce Leon Ohrlund, 70, of Rock Island passed away peacefully Friday, March 29, 2019, at home. Visitation will be from 4:00- 7:00pm Thursday at the KNOX Chapel of Wheelan Pressly Funeral Home, 2106 – 7th Avenue, Rock Island. A private family burial will take place at Chippiannock Cemetery.

Bruce was born on November 6, 1948 in Iowa Falls, Iowa to Harriet (Westwick) and Leon Ohrlund. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa and his master's degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in Library Science.

His first job as a teen was as a page at the Carroll, IA Public Library, a job that inspired him to choose Library Science as a career. He was employed as a school librarian by the Geneseo Public School District followed by positions at Rock Island Public Library, St. Ambrose University, and Augustana College. He also worked as an independent contractor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Library on Arsenal Island.

Bruce enjoyed photography, travel, history and historic preservation. He served on the Rock Island Preservation Commission and the Rock Island County Historical Society Board of Directors.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Anderson, brother, Brad (Cathy) Walz, Marion, IA, Sister-in-law, Eileen Wicker, Plymouth, MN, Brother-in-law David (Janet) Wicker, Flowery Branch, GA, Uncle Robert (Dorothy) Ohrlund, Storm Lake, IA and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Stuart Garneau and his staff, Unity Point Hospice, Home Instead, and our friends and neighbors for their compassionate care and support during Bruce's extended battle with cancer.

Memorials may be made to the Rock Island Public Library Foundation, Rock Island Preservation Society, or Rock Island County Historical Society.