Robert “Bobby John” Brueggeman, 72, of Cashton, Wis., passed away peacefully Friday, May 25, 2023, at his home with his wife Sue by his side after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD. He was born Aug. 21, 1950, the oldest of 12 children born to Hubert and Mary Ann (Fuenger) Brueggeman.
He served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1971. By trade, he was a mason and worked for Boldon Brothers for many years and was also self-employed for much of his life as a brick and stone mason. In 1994, he purchased a bar on Front Street in Cashton, giving it the name Bobby Johns Tavern, which he and Sue proudly ran until 2022. Bobby also operated a chicken barn with Ernie Peterson for his last years of retirement. When he had spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards.
He is survived by his wife, Sue; his daughter, Suzanne (Richard) Meiners of Cashton; Sue’s children, Sarah (Jeremy) Kroger of Madison, Melissa (Darrin) Bilik of Virginia, and Matthew (Erin) Olson of Chicago; his grandchildren, Shantell (Dominic Kreider), Serenity, Shaylee, Desiree, and Brianna; his great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Jayce; his siblings, Ronald (Joanna) Brueggeman, Richard Brueggeman, Ruby (Jim) Fortney, Ruth Beckler, Russell (Tara) Brueggeman, Rodney (Joan) Brueggeman, Randy (Cathy) Brueggeman; his close friends, Patricia Dailey and Rachel (Amos) Leis; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and MaryAnn; his daughter, Carol Arena; his siblings, Raymond, Rita, Rudolph, and Renita; and a brother-in-law, Fred Beckler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church at St. Mary’s Ridge. Father Michael Klos will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow in the St. Mary’s Ridge Catholic Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited for visitation Tuesday, May 30, from 4–7 p.m. with a rosary at 4 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Family and friends also are invited for visitation Wednesday from 9–10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
