Huron: The Rev. Ronald C. Brugger, age 72, of Huron passed away Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Grace Episcopal Church in Huron, with burial at the Tulare Cemetery.
Visitation with family present will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at American Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 7 p.m. or one hour prior to the service at Grace Episcopal Church.
Officiants will include the Rev. Warren Schoberg, the Rev. Steven Brandsrud and the Rev. Jean Mornard.
Ronald C. Brugger was born March 9, 1941, in Huron, the son of C.C. and Emma Brugger. Through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, he became a Christian on July 30, 1941, in American Lutheran Church, Huron, where he also confirmed his faith May 20, 1956.
After attending the Huron Public Schools, he graduated in 1959. He attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, from 1959 to 1962. While in college, Ron did his internship at Clara City, Minn. Ron also attended Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa from 1962 to 1967 and did his postgraduate study at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. His ministry began in the Lansing-Waterville Parish in Iowa, and extended into 40 Lutheran congregations in the S.D. communities of Artesian, Bison, Bruce, Bristol/Butler, Bryant/Vienna, Carthage, Claremont/Langford, Clark, Colton, Faulkton/Orient, Hecla, Herried/Pollock, Highmore, Huron, Irene, Iroquois, Kennebec/Presho/Vivian, Langford, Mobridge/Glenham, Selby/Java, Sisseton, Timber Lake/Isabel, Wessington Springs and Willow Lake as well as interim ministry in three Episcopal parishes in Brookings, Huron and Watertown. He returned to a few parishes for a second interim call.
Ron was an avid and skilled organist/pianist and church musician with a vast knowledge of the worship liturgies, hymns and worship traditions of the Lutheran church and the majority of mainline denominations as well. He had a special love for collecting books and resources in these traditions. He was an enthusiast of pipe organs, reed organs and melodians, particularly historical instruments and enjoyed attending recitals and concerts of historical instruments. He was a member of the Organ Historical Society and other historic preservation societies. Ron was also a member of the Fellowship of St. Augustine's, a Lutheran Monastery and Retreat House, Oxford, Mich.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and several cousins.
He is survived by numerous cousins and friends.
Pastors who wish to participate in the procession during worship are invited to dress in red vestments and gather in the adjoining fellowship hall of Grace Episcopal Church. Memorials to ministries of choice are preferred.
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