Marianne Louise Brueggemann

Age 95, of St. Paul Beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother Died peacefully on July 2, 2017. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter; parents, Matilda Jordan and Gunnar Ostrum and stepmother, Florence Ostrum. Survived by children, David (Denise), Gary (Jackie), Lynn Marceau (Monck) and Paul (Judy); sisters, Lorraine Louis, Carol Fager and Darlene Claugherty; 13 grandchildren, Eric (Sacha), Dan (Serina), Beau (Erin) Belinda Peters, Martin (Alvina), Tamie Peters-Spencley (Ryan), Amy Petruck (George), Winona Duren (Brian), Karl, Sara Gokey (Sean), Mary soon-to-be Schoenrock (Benton), Nick and Will and 9 great grandchildren; Azhane, Sophia, CeRah, Lillian, Yani, Laurel, James, George and Jamie. Also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Marie Wood and Rose Pinski; 1 brother-in-law, Frank McSherry, and many loving nieces and nephews. Marianne was a proud graduate of Washington High School. Her working career started at Schuneman’s Department Store in 1939 and then, after attending Cable Business College, she went to work for St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company where she became the first female underwriter. She met the love of her life, Walter, in 1941 and they married in 1945. She put her career on hold to raise her 4 children. In 1958 she began working for the Northland Insurance Company and was quickly promoted to supervisor. She completed her accomplished career as an Executive Secretary for 20 years at The Farmer Magazine/ Webb Company. She was a long-standing member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and was very active in her church community. She was the School Board Secretary for 10 years, a church Trustee for 17 years, the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Member of the Rosary Society, the Chairperson of the annual silent auction fundraiser for 19 years and a Weekly Eucharistic Adorer for 11 years. Besides going to every possible event of her grandchildren’s, Marianne enjoyed her train trips with Walt, being the Administrator of The Helping Hand Club, an Election Judge, a member of Toastmasters International and a Washington High School alumni event planner. She enjoyed writing and acting in plays, reading and doing puzzles, especially Sudoku. Her steadfast devotion to her family, her faith and her Minnesota sports teams will be cherished always. The family would like to extend their sincere thank you to the staff at The Wellington Senior Living and the Shirley Chapman Sholom Home East for their kindness and loving care during these past few years. “To every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven” Visitation: Sunday, July 9, 4pm to 7pm at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, July 10, 11am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 650 Palace Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102. Memorials to St. Francis de Sales Church or St. Peter Claver Church, 375 Oxford St. N., St. Paul, MN 55104.