Mitch Bruggeman, 55, died on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND following a 29 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow in St. Bernards Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Mitchell David Bruggeman was born on January 27, 1956 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of David and Jeanette Marlene (Bugge) Bruggeman. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Mitch attended Northrup Elementary School, Franklin Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1974. Following graduation, Mitch moved to the Twin Cities where he worked at an auto parts store and also worked for Medtronic then he returned to Thief River Falls where he started farming with his Dad.

On November 19, 1977, Mitch was united in marriage to Julie Ornquist at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. To this union three children were born, David, Nicholas and Kelsie.

In the mid-1980s, Mitch went to work for Harvest States in St. Hilaire, MN where he worked until he retired in 2006.

Mitch was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, driving around the countryside, and family time at the Bruggeman Cabin (Ingolfs). He had a real passion for NASCAR, mowing the grass (and having a beer), snowmobiling/4-wheeling with his family. He was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls and was a member of the Grygla-Fourtown Sportsmans Club.

Mitch is survived by two children: Kelsie (fianc, Nate Dicken) Hanson and David Bruggeman both of Thief River Falls; 2 grandchildren, Andrew and Isabella; 3 brothers, Brian (Annette) Bruggeman and Dean (Dayna) Bruggeman, all of Thief River Falls, MN and Jerry (Delia) Bruggeman of Brainerd, MN; nieces & nephews, Ryan (Kayla) Bruggeman, Stephanie (Cody Peters) Bruggeman, Brandon Bruggeman, Landon, Broden, Elle, and Matia Bruggeman; great niece, Nora Bruggeman; step-grandma, Mathilda Bugge in Atlanta, GA; step-mother, Judi Bruggeman and her daughters, Janell (Greg) Mussman, Dawn Williamson and Robbin (Jimmy) Breiland and their families.

Mitch is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and an infant son, Nicholas.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Kristi LaSalle
SOLOIST: Shelly Burkel
PALLBEARERS: Brian Bruggeman, Dean Bruggeman, Jerry Bruggeman, Ryan Bruggeman, Kurt Nelson & Keith Nelson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Mitchs family & friends.