Jean Brueggeman Obituary
On July 28, 2023, Jean Bernice Brueggeman, a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was 98 years old. Jean was born on December 26, 1924 in Mendota, Illinois to Nelson and Myrtle (Roe) Crane. During her 35- year work career, she was an administrative secretary for Wauwatosa School District. Jean was a fiercely independent lady and was loved by all.
In 1942 after graduating from high school, she met her husband Robert Lester, who was her first love. They moved to Wisconsin and started a family. First and foremost, Jean was a dedicated mother and friend to her son Michael and daughter Marilyn. Shortly after Robert's passing, she met Chet Brueggeman who once again got her on the dance floor. Between playing bridge, cheering her 100-year-old friends on, and crocheting blankets for her great grandchildren, Jean lived life to the fullest until the very end.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents Nelson and Mrytle, her 3 brothers Harold, Nelson (Bub), and Gilbert (Gib) and her four sisters Roberta, Dorothy, Margaret, and her best friend Arlene, her daughter Marilyn Hoyt and step-daughter Joan (Pete) Rufe, her step son-in-law Charles (Pete) Rufe, her beloved first husband Robert Lester, and second love, Chet Brueggeman. She is survived by her son Michael (Ann) Lester, her son-in law Robert (Jenny) Hoyt and sons by her second marriage, Eugene (Nancy) Brueggeman and Steve (Janet) Brueggeman, and her nieces Karen (Joe) Happ and Cathy (Chris) Walter Faletto, and nieces and nephews Bob Schmidt, Alan Crane, Carol Crane, and Mark Crane. She is an adored grandmother to Kathryn (Sam) Curley, Rachael (Andres) Lester, Kristin Lester, Steve (Michelle) Hoyt, William (Qi) Hoyt, Tim (Norie) Hoyt, Phil (Susan) Rufe, Christopher (Stacey) Rufe, Anna (Ken) Haney, Gena (Alex) Hallam, Sarah (Jamie) Platz, and Erin (Dan) Brueggeman. She is even more adored by her great grandchildren Sydney, Jack, and Max Curley, Mateo and Lucia Rojas, Mason Platz, Paul and Madeline Hoyt, Erin Hoyt, Julia Rufe, Karl (Elizabeth) Kindel, Franz Kindel, Nora and Charlotte Rufe, Neil and Bridgette Haney, Luella Kester, and Stevie Hallam. Special thanks to Mike and Sherrie Ertl, and Kathy Perry who all allowed her to live independently until her passing.
She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. A celebration of Jean's life will be held at the Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home (N84W17937 Menomonee Ave, Menomonee Falls) from 4PM until time of Memorial Service at 6PM on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
