James L. Brueggeman

Brueggeman, James L.

James (“Jim”) L. Brueggeman, 81, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 27^th in the presence of family at Bethany St. Joseph’s Care Center.

Jim was born in La Crosse on August 20, 1933 to the late Joseph and Catherine Brueggeman. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953 after serving in the Korean War. Jim was united in marriage to Leah Rae Ledman on May 21^st, 1955.

Jim retired from Norplex/Allied Signal in August 1996 after 40 years of delivering an honest day’s work, every day. At different times he also worked at Citgo and Handy Builders where customers benefited from his knowledge and friendliness. He was a devout Catholic, a lifelong Packer fan, and a member of the La Crosse American Legion and the La Crosse Veterans of Foreign Wars. After retiring, Jim volunteered for ten years at Gundersen Clinic in Onalaska.

Jim’s eight grand-children were the apples-of-his-eye and his love of music is shared by them all. The Cattle Call by Eddie Arnold was a particular favorite and one that the family relished watching him sing-along to and also join in with him.

After his retirement Jim participated in the family’s annual “Honyak” invitational golf tournament with his sons and son-in-law. He enjoyed weekly popcorn and snack nights with close friends and monthly poker games with the guys, along with daily visits with friends over breakfast at McCafe – where he “shined.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years , Leah; sons Mark (Rose) of Greenville, WI, and Kevin (Tiffany) of Eden Prairie, MN, and daughter Barbara (Lonnie Kompelien) of New Hope, MN; eight grand-children James (Dani), Ross, Sam, Grant, Reid, Ashley, Paige, and Grace; Sister-in-law Lynn Miller; Family members Rich & Vicki Miller; loving nieces, nephews Joel (Sara), Todd (Marilyn), Chase (Lori), and Stacey (Steve Thornton), Cathy (Paul Olson), Shari Seelig (Ledman); and many wonderful friends and supportive neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Catherine Brueggeman; Sister Barbara (Martin); Brother Dennis; Nieces Debbie and Denise; Parents-in-law Basil and Agnes Ledman; and Brother-in-law Ricky Ledman.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Mary, Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse, WI. Rev. Brian Konopa will officiate. Family and Friends may call on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. S., from 5 to 7:00 PM, and from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass at church on Wednesday. Burial will be held immediately following Mass at The Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, with military rites by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to either the La Crosse American Legion Flag Distribution Fund (711 South Sixth St., La Crosse, WI 54601) or Mary Mother of the Church Building Fund (MMOC; 2006 Weston St., La Crosse, WI 54601).

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Father Konopa, Sister Cathy, and Therese Van Oss, the staff at Bethany St. Joseph’s Care Center and Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, as well as family and friends.