1955
Hans
2025
Hans Bruegger
October 20, 1955 — May 26, 2025
Hans Ulrich Bruegger
October 20, 1955 to May 26, 2025
What do you say about a man who touched so many lives? I have received many memories from family, friends and work associates. The traditional obituary did not fit.
Hansueli was born in Switzerland and in his early life could be found making hay at the farm in Frutigen, alongside his cousins.
At 15, his mother said, "There's an opportunity for you to work as a sailor on a freight ship on the river Rhine." We heard many stories, particularly about missing the ship and catching up with it and after paying the cab driver he was left with only a few Swiss Francs.
He would love to talk about his time as a Mechanic making gears for the Jungfraubahn in Switzerland and then skiing home at the end of the day.
In Switzerland, he left behind a sister, Marlies (Jürgen) Jaggi Zug, Switzerland, brother Stefan Bruegger Bern, Switzerland, niece, Anja (Remo) Bontognali Zug, Switzerland, nephew Matthias Jaggi Zug, Switzerland, niece Andrea Bruegger, Hamburg, Germany, niece Monica Brugger, Switzerland, great nephew Luca Bontognali, and his godmother, Elsi Brugger.
He really had a dream of flying, and when he came to America as a Service Engineer for Schlatter North America, he pursued that dream and found Beloit Airport, where he met Elif Alseth, the flight instructor. He not only learned to fly, but he also bought a piper Cherokee Airplane. Elif Alseth, flight instructor, introduced Hans to Ruth, and they became friends and though Ruth had never flown with the flight instructor, she unknowingly was Hans's first passenger. They married four years later June 20, 1987, in Roscoe Il.
He then became a father of four children that he had grown to love. He was an incredible father, challenging them to be the best versions of themselves.
The road was rocky at times, but he persevered, and leaves behind Ruth Ann Pinkston of San Jose, Illinois, Paul and (Lupe) Christenson of New Braunfels, Texas. Denise and (Kelsey) Christenson of Rockton, Illinois, Michelle and (Michael) Bigelow of Beloit, Wisconsin. When the Grandchildren came along, he was in his element, teaching the proper table etiquette, sharing the Grittibanz tradition, and telling his stories. They considered him a mixture of National Geographic and Discover Channel all at once. He knew so many things. He leaves behind Aspen (Josh) Pirtle, Decatur, Illinois, Sydney Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Kendra (Devin) Medina, New Braunfels, Texas, Makenna Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Titus Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Matthew Hardin (Taylor Rachwal), North Prairie, Wisconsin, Nicholas (Ayelet) Bristol, Wisconsin, Ethan White, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and also Jacob Bigelow (Abby) Brodhead, Wisconsin.
The legacy of tradition continues with the great grandchildren, and he leaves behind Chloe, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Margo and Hailey, several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
In his last few days, he was excited about the Grandchildren coming to the house. On Friday, some of the grandchildren visited before a fishing trip.
On Sunday, he looked forward to seeing everyone. His granddaughter Aspen, also a Formula one enthusiast watched the race with him. His grandson Titus and great granddaughter Chloe spent time making bread with him. That night, he took a step down in his health, and the next day at 8 p.m. he took his last breath. We were so surprised that in those moments a full symphony of birds singing right outside of the window, and then silence.
I think he was greeted by those who went before him. He was sent on his way with love and greeted by those who went before. His father, Hans Gottlieb Bruegger, his mother, Flora Bruegger, Lienhardt, several uncles and aunts, including his godfather, Walter Bruegger, father-in-law, Robert Goebel, mother-in-law, Lucille Goebel, sister-in-law, Barb Stockwell, sister-in-law, Connie Neblock, brother-in-law, Jack Neblock, brother-in-law, Sidney Hensel, Nephew Troy Hensel, Great Niece Heather Smith and son-in-law, Joe Pinkston.
A special thanks to the team at St. Croix Hospice.
A thank you to Home Instead.
A very special thank you to Dr. Theodore Schock, Mulford Medical
A Celebration of Life will be held in October
October 20, 1955 to May 26, 2025
What do you say about a man who touched so many lives? I have received many memories from family, friends and work associates. The traditional obituary did not fit.
Hansueli was born in Switzerland and in his early life could be found making hay at the farm in Frutigen, alongside his cousins.
At 15, his mother said, "There's an opportunity for you to work as a sailor on a freight ship on the river Rhine." We heard many stories, particularly about missing the ship and catching up with it and after paying the cab driver he was left with only a few Swiss Francs.
He would love to talk about his time as a Mechanic making gears for the Jungfraubahn in Switzerland and then skiing home at the end of the day.
In Switzerland, he left behind a sister, Marlies (Jürgen) Jaggi Zug, Switzerland, brother Stefan Bruegger Bern, Switzerland, niece, Anja (Remo) Bontognali Zug, Switzerland, nephew Matthias Jaggi Zug, Switzerland, niece Andrea Bruegger, Hamburg, Germany, niece Monica Brugger, Switzerland, great nephew Luca Bontognali, and his godmother, Elsi Brugger.
He really had a dream of flying, and when he came to America as a Service Engineer for Schlatter North America, he pursued that dream and found Beloit Airport, where he met Elif Alseth, the flight instructor. He not only learned to fly, but he also bought a piper Cherokee Airplane. Elif Alseth, flight instructor, introduced Hans to Ruth, and they became friends and though Ruth had never flown with the flight instructor, she unknowingly was Hans's first passenger. They married four years later June 20, 1987, in Roscoe Il.
He then became a father of four children that he had grown to love. He was an incredible father, challenging them to be the best versions of themselves.
The road was rocky at times, but he persevered, and leaves behind Ruth Ann Pinkston of San Jose, Illinois, Paul and (Lupe) Christenson of New Braunfels, Texas. Denise and (Kelsey) Christenson of Rockton, Illinois, Michelle and (Michael) Bigelow of Beloit, Wisconsin. When the Grandchildren came along, he was in his element, teaching the proper table etiquette, sharing the Grittibanz tradition, and telling his stories. They considered him a mixture of National Geographic and Discover Channel all at once. He knew so many things. He leaves behind Aspen (Josh) Pirtle, Decatur, Illinois, Sydney Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Kendra (Devin) Medina, New Braunfels, Texas, Makenna Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Titus Christenson, New Braunfels, Texas, Matthew Hardin (Taylor Rachwal), North Prairie, Wisconsin, Nicholas (Ayelet) Bristol, Wisconsin, Ethan White, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and also Jacob Bigelow (Abby) Brodhead, Wisconsin.
The legacy of tradition continues with the great grandchildren, and he leaves behind Chloe, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Margo and Hailey, several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
In his last few days, he was excited about the Grandchildren coming to the house. On Friday, some of the grandchildren visited before a fishing trip.
On Sunday, he looked forward to seeing everyone. His granddaughter Aspen, also a Formula one enthusiast watched the race with him. His grandson Titus and great granddaughter Chloe spent time making bread with him. That night, he took a step down in his health, and the next day at 8 p.m. he took his last breath. We were so surprised that in those moments a full symphony of birds singing right outside of the window, and then silence.
I think he was greeted by those who went before him. He was sent on his way with love and greeted by those who went before. His father, Hans Gottlieb Bruegger, his mother, Flora Bruegger, Lienhardt, several uncles and aunts, including his godfather, Walter Bruegger, father-in-law, Robert Goebel, mother-in-law, Lucille Goebel, sister-in-law, Barb Stockwell, sister-in-law, Connie Neblock, brother-in-law, Jack Neblock, brother-in-law, Sidney Hensel, Nephew Troy Hensel, Great Niece Heather Smith and son-in-law, Joe Pinkston.
A special thanks to the team at St. Croix Hospice.
A thank you to Home Instead.
A very special thank you to Dr. Theodore Schock, Mulford Medical
A Celebration of Life will be held in October
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hans Bruegger, please visit our flower store.
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