Fr. Bruggeman was born in North Graham County, KS, the tenth of thirteen children, to Gerhard and Mary Ann Dittlinger Bruggeman.

His early life was spent on a farm south of New Almelo KS, where he learned his love of God from his parents. He was influenced by his older sister Frances (Sr. Liquori) who joined the convent in Conception, MO. Fr. attended high school at the Conception Abbey in Conception, MO, later attending at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, CO. He was ordained on May 29, 1949, his first Mass was said in New Almelo, KS, attended by many relatives and friends. He was in the Pueblo Diocese until the Colorado Springs Diocese was formed. He spent time in Pueblo, Lamar, LaJunta, Monte Vista, Salida, Buena Vista, and Colorado Springs. His Colorado Springs time was at Corpus Christi. He enjoyed his time in all the parishes and became friends with many people, both parishioners and town residents. Fr. was a servant priest. His commitment to his ordination to the priest in 1949 was seen as his highest priority, that of ensuring the Eucharist and the Sacraments would be available to those seeking it, despite time or place. A regular fixture at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital and numerous other healthcare facilities for the past 17 years, Fr. Jerry was seen responding to requests at all times of the day and night never putting his needs first. In a remarkable way, through the gift of his age, many hospital patients were served by Fr. Jerry at their births, their baptisms their wedding celebrations, the births of their children, the difficult moments of life and at their death. He was their spiritual lifeboat at the key moments of life. and at their death. He was their spiritual lifeboat at the key moments of life. His last public mass was offered at the hospital chapel on April 10 before a crowd of his loving friends and with the presence of Bishop Sheridan. Father's service to PSF will be honored in the new hospital park at the corner of Cascade and Jackson, across from Corpus Christi Parish where he served. He will be missed by the many he served. Fr. Jerry's greatest gift was the return of his missing chalice in December 2010. He felt it was a Christmas Miracle.

Fr. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother father, sisters Sophia Otter, Helena Otter, Frances (Sr. Liguori) Bruggeman, Agnes Otter, Louise Nible, Mary Margaret (May) Linden, and Antoinette Bruggeman, and brothers Leo, Ambrose, and Alfred Bruggeman. Fr. is survived by two sisters Elizabeth Brinker, and Regina Riedel. also sister-in-law Carroll (Alfred) Bruggeman, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Contributor: MB