Eugene Bruggeman, 83, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital, Northwest Campus, Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 PM, Monday April 21, 2008 at St. Bernards Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Monsignor Timothy McGee presiding. Burial will be at St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Brooks, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Sunday April 20, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Monday.



Eugene Edward Bruggeman was born November 10, 1924 at Jefferson, SD, to Frank A. and Zoe (Derochie) Bruggeman. The family lived in several places during Genes childhood including South Dakota and Brooks, MN. He attended rural schools.

Eugene honorably served his country in the US Army Air Force during WW II.

Gene was united in marriage to Vivian T. Lynch on October 9, 1945, while he was home on leave from the Army. He and his new bride moved to Oklahoma while he finished his tour of duty. They made a home in Brooks, MN where he started farming. They lived in Duluth for a couple of years in the late 40s. They moved 11 times in their early years. They finally settled north of St. Hilaire, MN in 1959. Gene worked as a mechanic at L.B. Hartz and drove truck for over 29 years.

Gene enjoyed hunting, camping, snowmobiling, dancing, and fishing. Fishing was his favorite. He also enjoyed being with friends & family. Gene was a member of the American Legion in Thief River Falls, St. Hilaire Snow Saints, and the St. Hilaire Community Club. Gene always had a love for horses and was a cowboy at heart.

Eugene is survived by his wife Vivian, Thief River Falls, MN, 4 children, one daughter Linda (Mike) Johnson, Newfolden, MN, 3 sons, Gary (Audrey), Cannon Lake, MN, Dwight, Thief River Falls, MN, Stanley (Sue), Warren, MN, three grandsons, Guy (Nadine) Bruggeman, Denton, TX, Jared (Maria) Bruggeman, Flagstaff, AZ, Wayne (Mary) Johnson, Warren, MN, two granddaughters, Lydia and Zoe Bruggeman, Warren, MN, 3 step grandchildren, Natalie Lagerstrom, Malmo, MN, Jennifer (Paul) Johnson, Thief River Falls, MN, Steven (Rosemary) Johnson, Thief River Falls, MN, four great grandchildren, Alex Johnson, Micah Bruggeman, Anna Johnson, Logan Bruggeman, 3 step great grandchildren, Thomas, Tyler, Ashley Helgeson. brother Larry (Vi) Bruggeman, Brooks, MN; 2 sisters Audrey Lee, Kent, WA, and Joyce (Elling) Iverson, Thief River Falls, MN, two sisters in law, Ruby and Clare Bruggeman, Thief River Falls, MN, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parent, Frank and Zoe Bruggeman, two brothers, Lloyde and Richard Bruggeman, and one sister Dorothy Olson, and one grandson Gavin Bruggeman.


ORGANIST: Kristi LaSalle
CANTOR: Shelly Burkel
PALLBEARERS: Chris Bruggeman, Mark Bruggeman, Ross Bruggeman, Chris Jensen, Keith Iverson, Wayne Johnson
MILIATARY HONORS: Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard