Ann Michele Bruggeman

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University of Colorado

Ann Bruggeman Obituary

ANN MICHELE BRUGGEMAN, 41, of Boulder, Colo., died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, at home following a seven year fight against breast cancer. Born Feb. 25, 1964, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Joseph Anthony Bruggeman and Marie Louise Celard Brug-geman. She married Richard B. Balsley Jr. on June 21, 1997, in Boulder. She was a vibrant, loving person with many friends in Boulder and other areas. One of the joys of her life was travel. She traveled to 35 countries throughout the world, starting with a trip to France at age eight. She especially enjoyed visits to Paris, where her mother was born, to Alaska to watch the grizzly bears and to the Galapagos Islands. She loved swimming and scuba diving. She loved riding horses and volunteered with the Assisted Riding program, in Boulder. She also volunteered with the Boulder County District Attorney's office as a Victim Advocate. She graduated from Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne, where she was the first female president of the Key Club, which was chosen top Key Club in Indiana. She also graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Fine Arts. Surviving are her husband, Richard; mother, Marie; and brothers, Henry and Fred, both of Fort Wayne, Patrick of Palm Beach, Fla., Joseph of Santa Monica, Calif. and Jack of Boulder; sister, Marie Helene of Boulder; nephews, Nathan, Adam, Michael, Ian, Yahn and Anthony Eric; and nieces, Lisa, Sara, Lindsey and Bridget. She was preceded in death by her father; and brother, Anthony. Ann wished contributions in her memory be used to help the needy locally and around the world. Donations may be made to The Therapeutic Riding Center, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties or any charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Feb. 22, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann Bruggeman

8 Entries

Heather Winokur O´Donnell

October 18, 2024

Ann was one of the kindest and most caring people I´ve ever met. We became fast friends in 1996, while volunteering together at the Boulder DA´s office. I attended her beautiful wedding to Ricky and lived in their basement for a few months, while waiting for my new home to be built. Ann was so brave and strong throughout her long cancer fight. She is so very missed.

Diana Marie Brooks

February 16, 2023

Ann was my dearest friend in high school. I was shocked to hear that she passed away so early in life. We kept in touch for many years and today I have many fond memories of Ann from our days at Bishop Luers. This African Artifact came up in our reunion group in 2017. And I remembered the silent auction that took place in our school gym in 1982. I was sitting next to her when this artifact was the million-dollar prize of a fierce bidding war by the Bishop Luers HS football players.
I was the ONLY one who remembered why it was circulating from one reunion chair to the next for generations. Ann, must be smiling since it was mailed to me in 2019.
Hopefully, one day, I'll publish my book to share the secret of the Holy Grail. I'll dedicate my book to her memory!

Bryan from BDHS82

February 25, 2022

On her birthday, remembering Ann, one of the loveliest people ever. so happy to have known her.

Diana M Brooks

December 9, 2021

Ann was my very dearest friend and confidante in high school. I loved her like a sister and she was there for me during a family crisis.
I sensed something was wrong right around the time she died and I know she is waiting for me in Heaven.
Ann had a gentle heart and was a godsend to me.

Diana Marie Brooks

February 24, 2021

Ann was my best friend in high school. Her kindness and compassion to me during a difficult time in my life will never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, we lost contact after our high school graduation. I moved several times with my boyfriend who I eventually married. In 2006, without any notification, I started remembering her and worried that something was wrong with Ann. If my gut feeling was true, I wanted to be there for her during her dark hour. I tried looking for her on the internet, and couldn't find her. I tried calling information to see if her father or mother were listed. I called information in Bolder to see if she was listed. All attempts to contact her were in vain and so I gave up my search and hoped my premonition was mistaken.
Two years later, I joined Facebook, and our mutual friend, Terri, found me. The first question I asked her was if she had Ann's contact information. She asked me for my phone number and told me the news. It never occurred to me that Ann would die at such a young age. I wondered if her spirit joined wish to let me know that she had passed on and took this theory to heart.
I kept her letters as proof that I didn't forget her either. RIP Ann!

JEFFERY HIPSKIND

February 22, 2006

Ann and I were classmates at Bishop Luers. I will always remember her beautiful smile. She was kind and caring to all the people she met. She will be greatly missed.

Lily (Kruse) Mertes

February 22, 2006

Marie,

Mom, Larry and I are very sorry to hear of Ann's death. You're in our prayers as is your family.

Noella Kruse, Larry Kruse

Debbie Wagner

February 22, 2006

Ann and I were in Key Club together.

She was very kind to me and would be delighted to know that nothing brings me more delight than therapeutic horseback riding.

I'm sorry for your loss.

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