Wilma Evelyn Brueggeman

Wilma Evelyn Brueggeman was born April 21 ^st , 1928 to Frederick (Fritz) Brueggeman and Erna (Schildmeier) Brueggeman and grew up on the old Akey place near Vernon, Colorado with older brother Virgil and younger brothers Robert and Dale. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Sunnyside Elementary and then Lutheran parochial school, later graduating from Vernon High School. Wilma continued her education at Denver Business School.

Her first job was secretary at the Wray High School, and later secretary at the ASC office in Wray. This was a stepping stone to her career with the U.S. Air Force as a civilian charged with managing payroll and records of Air Force personnel. While with this unit, she served at several locations in Denver, Washington D.C., and San Antonio, Texas. She retired in May of 1986 and returned to Wray to be closer to family.

Wilma enjoyed a very active social life with friends and family, becoming a member of several organizations, Las Viente Federated Women’s Club and the Lutheran Miriam Guild, a supper and cards club, and the Heritage Club that led several tours. She enjoyed her travels through this country and Europe.

She loved music, dancing, attending theater productions and movies. Those who knew Wilma well enjoyed her dry sense of humor. She was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan and later followed the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies baseball club.

Although Wilma never married, she did not lack for children in her life as she had a very unique bond with each of her eleven nieces and nephews and their offspring. She took an intense interest in their growth development and activities and they each knew they were special in her eyes. It was a rite of passage to be able to visit Aunt Wilma in Texas for a week or two and receive royal treatment.

A word about Wilma and her lifelong battle with the effects of the dread disease of Polio. She was only three years old when she became ill and was lucky to survive. However, she was left with a dysfunctional right shoulder that was weak and hampered movement. But with her parents help, family encouragement, and her own determination, she vowed to “be like everybody else” and taught herself to overcome obstacles other children would not even dream of.

She never complained or drew attention to herself, but grew into a dependable accomplished woman, humble but strong in her faith, admired and well loved by all who knew her.

Wilma was preceded in death by her father Fritz, her mother Erna, and brothers Virgil, Robert, and Dale and two sister-in-laws, Doris and Clarice Ann, and great nephew Justin Noffsinger.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy (Robert) Brueggeman, nieces and nephews Gail (Dennis) Blach, Mark (Lisa) Brueggeman, Craig (Janet) Brueggeman, Fritz (Audrey) Brueggeman, Susan Brueggeman, Andrew (Tosha) Brueggeman, Kristine (Mike) Peterson, Mitch (Diana) Brueggeman, Lori (Bob) Noffsinger, Greg (Bea) Brueggeman, and Robert ‘Bobby’ (Linda) Brueggeman, and numerous offspring of theirs, other relatives, and numerous friends.

A Viewing/Visitation will be held at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado with Pastor Dennis Fitzpatrick officiating.

Interment will be held in the Glendale Cemetery in Vernon, Colorado.

Memorials may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.