Lois E. Brueggeman's Obituary
Brueggeman, Lois Etta Hunt (December 28, 1945-January 28, 2024)
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the death of Lois Brueggeman. A resident of Portage County since 1974, Lois leaves behind husband Mark, daughter Cyle (Keith) Bohannon, son Mark (Martha Kranes) Brueggeman, and grandchildren Edward, Honora, and John Bohannon, Ford and Vincent Brueggeman, and great-grandchild Andreas Brueggeman Martinez. Lois was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to Lois and Amos Hunt. She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Louis and Jack, and dearest friends Nancy Schmidt and Linda Martin Moore. She is survived by her siblings Greta Fox, Peggy Forshee, and Roger Harvatich. Lois’s earliest years were spent in California, then the St. Louis area.
As a young woman she attended college in Nashville, allowing her to see Martin Luther King, Jr. speak at Fisk University in 1965. Lois’s commitment to justice included supporting workers by denying her children grapes for much of their childhood. She showed up for union rallies. She joined a quarter of a million people marching in the streets of Madison against Act 10 in 2011. She participated in a Black Lives Matter parade in 2020. She was always willing to attend a parade on behalf of a politician with integrity, especially if that politician was Russ Feingold or Katrina Shankland.
Lois worked many jobs, but never confused a job with her identity. Notable positions included assisting the Creative Writing Programs manager during the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, sewing in the costume shop at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, managing the costume shop at UW-Stevens Point, and, as a young woman, gathering miniatures for architectural models at Eero Saarinen’s firm.
Storytelling was a gift Lois shared with the world. As a young woman, Lois was a poet of promise, even having a poem bought by The Atlantic. Over the past decade, her poems have been turned into broadsides by artist husband, Mark. Lois also wrote short stories. However, her children best loved her storytelling, particularly the bedtime series she called “The Weirdo Stories,” which expressed her beatnik sensibility and included characters Jump-Back Jack and Ready Freddy.
Lois’s brilliant mind and memory were eclipsed by her wisdom and compassionate heart. Following a difficult childhood, Lois accomplished the most difficult task of all: breaking the chain of intergenerational trauma. Lois’s true genius was spinning the dross of her childhood into the gold of the life she created with husband Mark for children Cyle and Mark William.
In later years a traumatic brain injury from a car accident and dementia took their toll. With the loving care of husband Mark, and longtime caregivers Paula Kramer and Judy Elman, Lois was able to remain at home through the long course of her disease. The entire family wishes to thank the first responders and ERTs based in Amherst for their excellent care and extraordinary kindness. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Lois’s memory can direct it to the Emergency Medical Responders Fund, Amherst Fire District, 4585 Fairgrounds Road, Amherst WI 54406.
Lois will be missed for the sound of her voice, beautiful whether trilling with laughter, raised in song, or offering soothing words of comfort. Lois’s connection to source and spirit was evident to all who knew her throughout her life. Husband Mark will miss terribly the joy that moved through her and into their lives. Daughter Cyle will really miss her mom as The Best traveling companion. Son Mark will miss playing the guitar and singing folk songs with his mom. Grandson Edward will miss watching political conventions with “Mer,” as he called his grandmother. Granddaughter Honora will miss singing the standards such as Cole Porter with Mer. Grandson John will miss Mer’s wonderful advice, which inexplicably remained perfect and consoling, despite her advancing dementia. Grandson Ford will miss listening to her telling family stories from her and our family’s lives. Grandson Vincent will always remember her mix of humor and seriousness and sitting outside discussing the interconnectedness of all things, describing the world with movement and light. Son-in-law Keith will miss his long talks after holiday meals with his partner in dishwashing. Daughter-in-law Martha will miss Lois’s ability to really see beauty anywhere and to bring sparkle to every occasion.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Friends may visit with the family at Nelsonville Lutheran Church (3061 Oak Street, Nelsonville) from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, February 2, 2024.
A memorial service will follow in the summer.
Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
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