Robert Joseph Bruggeman

Larchwood, Iowa        Robert “Bob” Bruggeman, age 95 of Larchwood, IA, died on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Fellowship Village Nursing Home in Inwood, IA.           Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler & Deacon Jeff Gallagher as officiating.        Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA, with military honors by Flessner American Legion Post No. 56, Larchwood, IA and John M. Bliss VFW Post No. 628, Sioux Falls, SD.        Visitation will be Monday, September 12th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.        Robert Joseph Bruggeman was born on November 14, 1920 in Larchwood, IA, the son of William and Catherine (Roemen) Bruggeman. He grew up in Larchwood and attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 25, 1944 and served as a Radar Technician. He was honorably discharged on March 26, 1946. On June 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Beatrice Gacke in Alvord, IA. The couple made their home in Larchwood, IA and to this union four children were born: Gwen, Mark, Craig and Colleen. Bob farmed all his life until retirement and turned the farm over to his son Mark. He was a member of the Flessner American Legion of Larchwood and VFW in Sioux Falls, SD. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood, where he was involved in the Knights of Columbus and longtime member of St. Mary’s Choir. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, reading, music, loved to travel, volunteer at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, watch Minnesota Twins baseball, and was a dedicated farmer. He will be remembered for his generous heart and warm smile. He was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather. He was a caring neighbor and community member, and a true steward of the land as a farmer. Bob will be greatly missed.        Left to cherish Bob’s memory is his wife of 66 years, Bea Bruggeman of Larchwood, IA; 4 children: Gwen (Thom) Gmeinder of St. Paul, MN, Mark (Joli) Bruggeman of Larchwood, IA, Craig (Darla) Bruggeman of Sioux Falls, SD and Colleen (Edgar) Armacanqui of Madison, WI; 9 grandchildren: Eric and Diana Armacanqui, Jennifer and Jessica Gmeinder, Matthew (Kayla) Bruggeman and Laura (Jake) Stokely, Jayna (Robert) Fitzsimmons, Brianna (Nathan) Staton and Allison (Tyler) Blake; and 10 great-grandchildren Josie, Francesca, Taylor, Avery, Allanah, Lane, Luke, Jase, Eric and Beatrice; 4 siblings: Helen Miller of Colorado Springs, CO, Maurice (Mick) Bruggeman of Larchwood, IA, Audrey Schwenck of Sioux Falls, SD and Roger Bruggeman of Colorado Springs, CO; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Catherine Bruggeman; two brothers: Vincent and William Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Julie Bruggeman.