Gary L. Brugger, age 81, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2022, surrounded by his family, after a valiant battle with esophageal cancer. He was born May 30, 1941, to John and Hazel (Tschbold) Brugger. Gary attended Searles, a one room school, until attending Albany High School where he graduated in 1960. Upon graduation, he began his career as a lifelong farmer. He married the love of his life, Betty (Zimmerman), on June 24, 1961, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Albany, WI.
He was a genuinely good man with a big smile and an even bigger heart. He enjoyed Friday night fish fries followed by drives through the countryside, going gambling in Dubuque and playing the lottery. Scratch off tickets were his favorite and he had many winning tickets over the years. Gary & Betty liked to travel. A few of their most memorable trips, were an Alaskan Cruise and three trips to Switzerland. For 20 years, they also traveled to Albuquerque, NM to visit family. More recently a favorite pastime was putting together puzzles.
In his earlier years he enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball, bowling, and was an avid blood donor.
Throughout the years, he was a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge as well as other community-based organizations.
Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Betty of 61 years; his children, Lisa Stauffacher, Lori Brugger, Mike (Sandy) Brugger, and Melissa (Tony) DeRemer; 5 grandchildren, Devan (Kyle) Klopfenstein, Colton (Leeanna) Brugger, Mia Stauffacher, Alex Stauffacher, and Kaelee DeRemer; 3 bonus grandchildren, Brooke, Dane, and Luke Trustem; and 4 great-grandchildren, Cayson & Emersyn Brugger and Lakyn & Aisley Klopfenstein. He is also survived by special brother-in-law, Anton Moest, and sister-in-law, Isabel Zimmerman, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters-in-law, Gertrude Moest and Martha Elmer and brothers-in-law, Adolph Zimmerman and Arlyn Elmer.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home.
A private family service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Gary’s name.
The family would like to thank the Monroe Hospice team for their compassionate care & support, and more importantly, for allowing Gary dignity in his final days. A “special” thank you to Mia McDermott, NP and the entire oncology and palliative teams at the Monroe Clinic for the exceptional care he received. You all were a true blessing on this journey.
“May you now be free of pain and at peace.”
