Kevin J. Bruggeman (Cowboy ) of Albany, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2025.
Kevin was born September 8, 1958 in Red Lake Falls, MN to Donovan and Florence (Jesperson) Bruggeman. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1977. Kevin and Mary Brickweg were married in September that year and welcomed son Jason and later daughter Jody into their home in Sauk Centre, MN. Kevin and Mary divorced but remained friends until Mary’s passing just 3 months ago.
While growing up, Kevin was active in 4-H, a wrestler in high school and farming with his dad and brother. He had the gift of gab and always had a funny story or quick comeback to everything. Kevin loved his Herford cattle and had a favorite one he named Corky. That cow was stubborn and loving all at the same time- sort of like his owner. Kevin farmed with his brother until moving to Sauk Centre where he had a little hobby- type farm.
Kevin worked for Kraft Foods in Melrose for years before joining the team at Joe’s Trucking in Albany, MN. Kevin was just shy of 30 years there and had plans of retiring soon. Three months ago he received the “Safe Driving Award” from the Great West Causality Company for 29 years of safe driving without a preventable accident. He remarked when he received the award, he wished they would have waited until April of this year as then he would have hit 30 yrs. He was very proud of his driving expertise and had lots of stories from “on the road.”
Kevin was a loving dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He enjoyed riding his Harley over the countryside and striking up a conversation with anyone he met. He loved attending raffles to support local causes. Most importantly, he so loved spending time with his grandkids, which were the center of his universe. Hunting and cooking were a pastime of Kevin’s. You always knew you would get enough to eat when he was cooking- he made enough for an army and the entire neighborhood. He always remarked he wanted enough food and loved to take the leftovers with him in his semi. In the last couple years, Kevin loved tooling around the lake in his pontoon – being captain and enjoying the sights. An annual family lake week on Little Birch Lake was a favorite of his and he tried to be there as much as possible, and to man the BBQ. Knowing Kevin is to also know his “sneeze” that would bring laughter, turn a lot of heads, and amazed everyone around him.
Survivors include his children Jason Bruggeman of Thief River Falls and Jody Bruggeman of Sauk Centre, grandsons Jerome Boecker III and Jett Bruggeman both of Sauk Centre, sisters Susanne Nelson of Moorhead and Roxi Elfering of Prior Lake (Rick), special friend Dianna Dierkes of Sartell, MN and many nieces, nephews, and hundreds of friends.
Kevin is preceded in death by his parents Don and Flossie, brother Mark, sister Susan Bruggeman, brother-in-law Bob Nelson, and nephew Jeremy Elfering.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Spring.
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