Mass Of Christian Burial for Merlin A. Brugger, 82, of Winside will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wayne. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wayne with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Burial, with military rites will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne.
Memorials may be directed to the Brugger family for later designation.
Merlin Brugger died Sunday, Oct.18, 2026 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Merlin Andrew was the youngest of five children born to Olga Enola (Nielsen) and James Waldon Brugger. He was born on May 17, 1944 at Wayne. He attended rural school District #24 which was located south of the family farm. He graduated from Wayne High School with the Class of 1962 participating in basketball and band.
Merlin enlisted in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Connie Rethwisch on Feb. 9, 1967 in Wayne. The couple raised cattle and farmed the family homestead. Merlin enjoyed farming, taking care of his cattle, attending cattle sales or watching them online. Merlin worked hard for his family and enjoyed spending time with them, but always needed to be home to do chores and take care of the cattle. He greatly enjoyed his visits with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa.
Merlin was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wayne and the Roy Reed American Legion Post #252 in Winside.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Connie; children: Mary Beth and Stacy Mau of Bayard, Mark and Sheila Brugger of York, and Ann and Thomas Nun of Gretna; seven grandchildren three great-grandchildren; siblings: Jeanne (Larry) Lindsay of Wayne and twin brother, Harlan (Carol) Brugger of Winside; sister-in-law, Charlene Jones of Wayne; several nieces, nephews who called him “Uncle Bill”, and extended family members, neighbors and friends.
Merlin was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Therese Brugger; his parents; in-laws, Walter and Lena Rethwisch; siblings: Gerald Brugger and Lorna (Ray) Loberg; Connie's siblings: Dorothy Ann (Ray) Jenkins, Jeanette Nielsen, Gene (Virginia) Rethwisch and brother-in-law, Merton Jones.
