Gary Bruggeman, age 77, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. A time of sharing will begin at 2:00 PM, led by Reverend Kristin Ostercamp. Military honors to follow. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793, and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Ekelund Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Gary Eugene Bruggeman was born on September 30, 1947 to Vivian (Lynch) and Eugene Bruggeman in Brooks, Minnesota.  Gary graduated from Lincoln HS in Thief River Falls, Minnesota in 1965.  He then graduated from Northland College TRF in 1967; University of Texas in 1974 with a degree in Civil Engineering; and a Masters from the University of Minnesota in 1980.

He married Audrey Marie Hyland on June 15, 1968, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Their marriage lasted 41 years until her passing in 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Gary considered himself blessed to have shared his life with two women he deeply loved. On April 23, 2016, he and Linda Lou Meyer held a commitment service before God at Christ Lutheran Church in Faribault, MN.

Gary served in the US Army from 1968 to 1988.  He retired as a Major in the 101st Airborne Division. During his career he was awarded the Bronze star, 2 meritorious service medals, Army commendation medal, good conduct medal(which he still questions), several service medals and unit citations.  He was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA; Aberdeen Proving Grounds MD; 101st airborne Division Viet Nam; Ft. Leonard Wood MO; United Nations command Korea; Ft. Sam Houston TX; Ft. Meade MD; Edgewood Arsenal MD; Ft. Wainwright AK; and Rock Island Arsenal IL.

After his army career he worked as the LaCrescent MN city engineer; solid waste manager for Dairyland Power; county engineer at Red Lake, Houston and Steele counties and assistant district engineer MNDOT. During his career several projects received national and state recognition.  He retired in June 2008 to care for Audrey.

Gary loved his family, hunting, fishing, travelling and reading.  He caught numerous freshwater and saltwater fish including trophy northern, walleye, bass, trout, and crappie, marlin, dorado, sea trout, sailfish, shark, and blue fish. He also bagged trophy white tail deer, black bear and caribou.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers Board of Directors, Minnesota County Engineers Association, Military officers association, and Masons.

He is survived by his sons, Guy (Nadine) of Plano, TX and Jared (Laura) of Joplin, MO; grandchildren, Lukas Bruggeman, Micah Bruggeman, Logan Bruggeman, and Reese Bruggeman.  Siblings, Linda Johnson of Newfolden and Stanley (Sue) Bruggeman of Warren, MN; several nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Audrey; his parents Eugene and Vivain Bruggeman and his brother Dwight Bruggeman.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com