Bruce Northrop

Funeral Service for Bruce Northrop, 93, of Medora, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at the Medora Community Center in Medora, ND. Burial will follow at the Medora Cemetery.

Visitation for Bruce will take place one hour prior to his service, on Wednesday, at the Medora Community Center.

Bruce passed away August 12, 2026, in Dickinson.

Bruce was born February 11, 1933, the son of Ward S. and Gladys (Heaton) Northrop. He was raised on the family ranch west of Fairfield, where the western way of life became a part of who he was from an early age.

At just 16 years old, Bruce went to work for Fettig Rodeo Company. He later worked for Don Short on the Short Ranch north of Medora, as well as for Jim Tescher and Gold Seal Company in Medora. Bruce eventually went to work for the National Park Service at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where he spent 25 years before retiring in 1993.

Team roping was a lifelong passion. Bruce was a member of the WTRC and competed in World Series Team Roping and numerous other roping organizations throughout the years. His years in the arena earned him more saddles and buckles than could easily be counted, but it was the people, horses and friendships along the way that meant the most. In 2011, Bruce was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Modern-Era Rodeo category - a fitting honor for a man who spent much of his life horseback and with a rope in his hand.

Retirement didn't mean hanging up his spurs. For nearly 30 winters, Bruce headed south to Arizona, where he continued doing what he loved best - team roping, of course.

Bruce married Judy Marucheck on December 14, 1956, and together they had two sons, Dean and Doug. They later divorced. On February 8, 1969, Bruce married Judy Caldwell. She passed away in 1988. Bruce later shared many years with his longtime partner, Jane Muggli.

Bruce is survived by his sons, Dean (Mary) Northrop of Beach, ND, and Doug Northrop of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Derek (Jodi) Northrop and Hannah Northrop, both of Dickinson; great-grandchildren, Rylee and Quinn Northrop; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Gladys Northrop; wife, Judy Northrop; longtime partner, Jane Muggli, and siblings, Ward Northrop, Leah Ray and Dale Northrop.

Bruce lived the life of a true North Dakota cowboy - hardworking, independent and happiest around good horses, good friends and a roping arena.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Bruce's name.