Jeffrey Thomas Bump

Jeff Bump, age 52, of Marshall, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at his home. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Traditional Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. A Memorial Visitation will then continue, at the church on Saturday, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of his service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Living Word Lutheran Church or the family as they will direct to a charity in Jeff’s name.

Jeffrey Thomas Bump was born on December 29, 1970, and grew up in Marshall, Minnesota, with his parents, Tom and Jean, and older brother, Chris. He spent his childhood playing outdoors which grew to form a deep passion for walleye fishing both in the summer months and through the ice. Jeff also loved the solitude of bow hunting, and the comradery formed while pheasant hunting with his talented dog, Kimber.

Jeff was baptized as an infant, received first communion, and was later confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. He was a devoted and loving son, who was very close to his parents and enjoyed special hobbies with each of them. His love of fishing and hunting were inspired by his father, a dedicated angler who never misses time on the water and always made sure to have a spot on the boat for his son. A generosity of time, talent, and amazing walleye that we all have benefit from.

His love of the outdoors also meant that he cherished his time with his mother in her amazing flower and vegetable gardens. Her Irises, tiger lilies, sedum, ornamental onion, annuals of every shade and hue fill Jeff’s backyard. He was a talented gardener who always took advice from his mother on what and when to plant.

After graduating from Marshall High School with the class of 1989, Jeff spent a year at Southwest State University before going on to work for Schwan’s in the ice cream plant and then on to routes where he was promoted to run his own depot in Plainfield, Illinois. On December 3, 2004, Jeff was united in marriage to Lara Seldat in Joliet, Illinois. The couple moved from Illinois to Minocqua (WI) to Minneapolis (MN) and then Marshall in 2009. Together they raised their daughter, Grace, and shared the last 18 years together.

Jeff later took a sales position at US Bank where he was currently working. He was a born leader but a leader who loved to help individuals discover their strengths and talents before ever focusing on his own. He was known far and wide for his amazing storytelling ability; the gift of making people feel seen and loved at the expense of self-deprecating humor. Jeff had an amazing ability to show up for people he cared about in the most unexpected, but powerful ways. He was the first person to offer you a cold beverage, a hug when you were sad, and a good laugh when you needed to remember that life can still be fun.

Jeff was loved by the Marshall High School girl’s hockey team who fondly referred to him as “Coach Teddy Bear.” On the ice, Jeff always called out to Grace as “Cinco.” He valued the team sport of hockey, the travelling that was required, and his motto was “work hard and have fun!” Jeff was also the best friend a person could have. A friend that was loyal, kind, funny, didn’t shy away from difficult conversations, but also knew how to have a really, really good time.

Above all else, he was a father who adored his beautiful daughter. They had a wonderful, honest, and loving relationship that showed through in everything that they did together. Jeff always consulted Grace on the yard games that needed to be set up for “Club 106’s” opening festivities. And he never failed to let her know how much he loved her, and the lengths he would go to ensure that she had everything that she needed. She was his everything and Jeff never failed to let her know that truth.

Jeff was also a husband who loved his wife fiercely and grew in love with her with each year that passed in their relationship. The core of this love was their love of Jesus Christ, of which they worked together to foster a relationship that emulated real, honest, hard-won love. A love that was worked for, maintained, and fed throughout their time together; time that was cut way too short.

Jeffrey Bump entered his heavenly home on Sunday, February 5, 2023. He was just 52 years, 1 month, and 7 days old. Loved by so many and gone too soon, blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his wife, Lara Bump of Marshall; daughter, Grace Bump of Marshall; parents, Tom and Jean Bump of Alexandria; in-laws, George and Peggy Seldat of Marshall; brother, Christopher Bump of Ruthton; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ivan and Mary Bump, and maternal grandparents, Willard and Helen Reynolds.