Carl Dean Bruggeman Jr.

Carl Dean Bruggeman Jr., age 65, of Mankato passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

Celebration of Life will be held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at his family home located at 100 Woodside Lane, Mankato, MN. 

Carl Dean Bruggeman Jr. was born in Keosauqua, Iowa on June 26th, 1959 at Keosauqua Van Buren Hospital, son of Carl and Donna Bruggeman and brother of Jerri Schafer and Deborah Henry who knew him as “Bub”. He graduated from Van Buren Community School in 1977 as a member of the National Honor Society. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he also worked in the theater department and during that time, he became a member of the Masonic Lodge. In 1994, he moved to Mankato, Minnesota to work as the Operation’s Director at the Mankato Civic Center. Carl married Julie Keck on June 1, 1996 at Centenary United Methodist Church. He went on to build his family home from 2003 to 2004, where he spent much of the next 20 years. Then in 2005, he went to work as a contractor for Vintage Fine Homes where he built many homes and businesses within the community until he retired in June of 2024. During that time, he also met his boss and good friend, Dave Pfeffer, many co-workers, and clients that truly made his job so rewarding. He spent his personal life enjoying many hobbies, such as playing and watching basketball and baseball, shooting archery, fishing, reading novels and learning about history, watching movies, participating in theater, and listening to music. Carl was also an avid golfer and spent many evenings and weekends on the golf course with his family. Most importantly, he loved following his children in their academic and athletic endeavors, such as volleyball, baseball, and basketball. He spent the last 3 months of his life in a hard-fought battle with cancer, where he was taken care of by Julie and his children. On his last night, they had a family sleep over where he peacefully passed in the home he built.

Carl is survived by his children, Dr. Samantha (fiancé, Zachary) Bruggeman, and Noah Bruggeman; ex-wife, Julie Keck; siblings, Jerri (Roger) Schafer, and Deborah (Rick) Henry; nieces and nephews, Matt Philips, Nate (Amanda) Philips, Rebecca (Jack) Loehr, Robert (Tanya) Henry, and Richard (Chelsey) Henry; brothers and sisters in-law, Deena Frerichs, Greg (Jill) Keck, Joe (Cindy) Keck, Jerome Keck, Tom (Sarah) Keck, and Allison (Peter) Hennager, and several other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Donna Bruggeman; in-laws, Donald and Rosemary Keck; brother in-law, David Frerichs and Jay Michael Keck; sister in-law, Mary Ellen Keck; twin nephew, Brenden and twin niece, Breanna Hennager.

A fund will be established to place a memorial at North Links Golf Course in Carl’s name.