Sylvester Francis Bruggeman was born February 11, 1923, in Mahnomen, MN, to Joseph and Mary (Bastian) Bruggeman. Sylvester was raised in Mahnomen where he graduated from high school. Following graduation, Sy entered the US Marine Corps.

Following his service in WW II, Sy returned to Mahnomen where he began his career in road construction. Sy was united in marriage to Mildred E. Anderson on December 16, 1950, in Fergus Falls, MN. They made their home in Moorhead, MN, where Sy continued in road construction. He retired in 1985. Sy and Millie enjoyed retirement years at their winter home in Phoenix, AZ, but returned to Moorhead in the summer, where they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Sy loved the game of golf. He played eighteen holes of golf, six days a week, without the assistance of a golf cart! He also enjoyed deer hunting with his family over the years. Sy was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as the Knights of Columbus.

Milly preceded Sy in death on April 6, 1996. Sy died unexpectedly at his home in Moorhead on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at eighty-five years of age.

Sy is lovingly survived by his children, David (Karol) Bruggeman, Sauk Centre, MN, Linda (David) Brateng, Grygla, MN, and Beth Bruggeman, Moorhead; four grandchildren, Kate (Brady) Legler, Sioux Falls, SD, Hannah Bruggeman, Sauk Centre, Heidi (Jon) Mussehl, and their son, Trajan, Bellingham, WA, and Philip Brateng, Grand Forks, ND; and a sister, Mildred Daly, Twin Valley, MN.

In addition to his wife, Sy was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.