Dale Brueggeman

Dale Robert Brueggeman, 76, of St. Lawrence, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022, at Avantara Norton Rehab in Sioux Falls.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am, Monday, May 2, 2022, at St Liborius Church with Father Randy Phillips, celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral.

Dale was born August 7, 1945, at the Faulkton County Hospital to Leonard and Lyda (Giever) Brueggeman.  He grew up southeast of Polo, South Dakota with his siblings Audrey, Gene, Vince and Dianne.  Dale attended St. Liborius Grade School and graduated from Fairview High School, served in the National Guard, and then bought a farm.  He married Linda Martinmaas in 1970 and they raised a family on the farm.

While running the farm, he was also involved with the Polo American Legion Post #299 where he served as Commander and was honored to serve in color guard at many Memorial Day services.  Dale was chairman of the St. Liborius remodeling project, and the woodwork in the entryway of the church today was created by him. 

Dale was a skilled self-taught mechanic who didn’t shy away from any project, from woodcraft to engine repair.  Although farming is hard work, he found time to play guitar and sing with the family on occasion, play cards, plant dozens of trees, and take fishing and camping trips.  Always the creator, he wanted to make rag rugs and so built a six-foot tall loom to do so, putting donated clothes to good use making rugs for everyone he knew.  Dale also became interested in homemade wine, so learned how to brew that too.  After farming, Dale worked for Hand County Implement as a long-haul trucker.  Eventually Dale moved to St. Lawrence and spent many great days visiting with friends at the Ranch Café.

He is survived by his children: Andrea Gerke of Columbia, MO, Paul (Jannel) Brueggeman of Sioux Falls, SD, Amy (Matthew) Douglas of Sioux Falls, SD, and Dan (Liza) Brueggeman of Inwood, IA; eight grandchildren: Brian Gerke, Ian Brueggeman, Rachel Gerke, Erika Douglas, Graham Brueggeman, Thomas Douglas, Hallie Brueggeman and Macy Brueggeman; and brothers, Gene (Marlene) Brueggeman, and Vince (Maxine) Brueggeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Hattie; sisters: Audrey and Dianne; granddaughter, Kayla; and grandson, Jonas.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Dale's arrangements.