Thief
River Falls - David Bruggeman, 67, local businessman, auctioneer
and farmer, died Tuesday, April 22, 1997, at his home in Thief River
Falls.
David Edward Bruggeman was born on November 12, 1929, in Jefferson, SD, to Fred and Ermanie (Derocher) Bruggeman. At the age of four, his family moved to the Plummer area. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended country school near Plummer. His family then moved to Rocksbury township, Pennington county, where he grew to manhood. In 1951, he married Jean Bugge and they farmed in Smiley township. In 1952 - 1954, he served with the Army in Korea taking an active part in the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, United Nation's Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, he returned to Smiley township where he farmed and raised a family.
On May 14, 1983, he was united in marriage to Judith (Sabo) Williamson and they made their home in Rocksbury township. They owned and operated Bruggeman's Used Farm Equipment and B & L Auction Service and continued to farm in the area. He was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW.
He enjoyed traveling, camping and spending time visiting with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Judith; sons, Mitchell Bruggeman and his wife Julie, Brian Bruggeman and his wife Annette, Dean Bruggeman and his wife Dayna all of Thief River Falls, and Jerald Bruggeman and his wife Delia of Brainerd; daughters Janell Swenson and her husband Kevin of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Dawn Williamson of Bemidji, and Robbin Williamson of Hamilton, MT; six grandchildren; seven sisters, Mary Eidsaune of Kent, WA, Doris Hill and her husband Daryl of Seattle, WA, Caroline Norbeck and her husband John of Belgrade, Marie Nicholson and her husband Lynn of San Diamas, CA, Mildred Duden and her husband Roger of Plummer, Rosemary Sethi and her husband Suren of Anoka, and Patricia Jacobson and her husband James of Thief River Falls, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson; two brothers, LeRoy and William; one sister, Virginia Bruggeman and brother-in-law, Richard Eidsaune.