Rod Bruggeman

Rodney Lee Bruggeman, one of six children of Orville and Dorothea (Gerdes) Bruggeman, was born July 24, 1940 in Auburn, Nebraska. He attended rural school near his home and graduated from Johnson High School. Rod later attended heavy equipment operator schooling in Texas.

In 1959 Rod was married to Joyce Remmers at Timber Creek Church near Johnson. They were blessed with two children, Bryan and Rhonda. The couple was later divorced after many years together.

After his marriage, Rod farmed for a time in the Johnson area. He later was a truck driver for Tri-Pac Cabinets in Auburn and Werner Trucking in Omaha. Another career path he took was as a heavy equipment operator, working on road construction in various parts of the country. Rod lived at times in South Dakota, California, and central Nebraska before returning to Johnson to live.

Rod had belonged to St. John Lutheran (Stone) Church near Johnson in his earlier years, and later in life began attending New Life Church in Auburn. He was an avid reader, and loved to just walk the back country roads to pass the time.

Due to the affects of Parkinson?s disease, Rod became a resident of Long?s Creek Assisted Living in Auburn, and later moved to Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt, Nebraska. It was there he passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the age of 72 years, 10 months, and 15 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law R. Wiley Remmers, sister Karyle Hoyle, and sister-in-law Lois Callan.

Rod is survived by his son Bryan; daughter and son-in-law Rhonda and Bob Jeanneret of Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren and spouses Nathan Bruggeman, Jessica Bruggeman, Heather and Francisco Candelaria, Josh and Lindsy Jeanneret, Cody Jeanneret, and Bobby Jeanneret; great-grandchildren Danica, Gavin, Liam, and Quinn; sisters and brothers-in-law Burna and Terry Broady of Johnson; Kate and Ralph Wileman of Las Vegas, NV; brothers and sisters-in-law Lonnie and Leigh Bruggeman of Humboldt; Sidney and Carol Bruggeman of St. Libory, NE; brother-in-law Ronald Hoyle of Nebraska City; former wife Joyce Bruggeman of Grand Junction, CO; mother-in-law Maxine Remmers of Auburn; sisters- and brothers-in-law Janice and Michael Guilliatt of Fremont; Jacque and Brian Branda of Houston, TX; aunt Roberta Risban of Arizona; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were Friday, June 14, 11:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Father Sidney Bruggeman. Rich Shelton led congregational singing accompanied by Carlene Andrew. Burial followed in Clifton Cemetery near Brock. Serving as Pallbearers were Nathan Bruggeman, Josh Jeanneret, Cody Jeanneret, Bobby Jeanneret, Francisco Candelaria, Jessica Bruggeman, Heather Candelaria, and Lindsy Jeanneret.