Norma Bruegger

Norma (Younkin) Bruegger passed away in Lusk, Wyoming on August 16, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Pier Funeral Home in Lusk, with interment in the Lusk Cemetery.

Norma was born October 28, 1931, the youngest daughter of Loyde and Estelle (Himes) Younkin. She attended grade school at Hat Creek. The family later moved to Lusk, where Norma attend Lusk High School, graduating in 1949.

After graduation from high school, Norma was employed at Spencer Hospital. In 1951 she married John Bruegger, going to Argentina and Brazil for their honeymoon. Returning from their honeymoon, Norma started married life as a rancher’s wife on the Van Tassell Ranch. Norma and John had five boys. She loved the outdoors and always had a beautiful yard with many flowers. Norma always looked forward to the special activities in ranching, such as brandings and vaccinating and moving cows, as a time to get together with others in the community. She cooked many meals for the Van Tassell school, and was a frequent chaperone on school outings.

In 1973 John was killed in Chicago. Norma continued the daily operations of the Van Tassell Ranch with the help of her boys. During this time, she was an active member of Farm Bureau, a founding member of R-CALF, and a VFW Auxiliary member. After raising her family, she became an avid quilter. In 2016 Norma retired from the ranch and moved to Lusk. She continued to participate in decisions regarding the ranch corporation until her death. While living in Lusk, she continued to make quilts and joined Lucky Stitch Quilters, as well as the Quilt Club in Torrington. Norma continued to enjoy the outdoors, and spent a great deal of time in her yard. She enjoyed sitting outside watching the birds or weeding her flower beds. In June of 2023 Norma had a stroke and entered the nursing home in Lusk.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons: David John and Greg Allen; and two grandchildren: Adam Lee and Krista Diane. She is survived by three sons: Mark (Marcia), Lee, and Cody; two grandchildren: Alyssa (Bruegger) Ferrero and Cameron Bruegger, and two great-grandchildren: Jackson and Annie Ferrero.

Memorials may be made to the Niobrara County Senior Center.

Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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