Robert Brigger, formerly of Winthrop and New Ulm, passed away on Monday March 12 in Apache Junction, Ariz., where he had resided since November 2009.
A memorial service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, of New Ulm, on Sunday June 10 at 1 p.m. with burial of ashes in the Winthrop Cemetery immediately following the service. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Winthrop Golf Club following the burial service.
Robert Gene Brigger was born on Sept. 21, 1926, in Galt Iowa, to Walter and Lydia Brigger. He graduated from Galt High School in 1943. Bob enlisted in the Navy in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. Following his service Bob worked as a banker in Okabena, Minn. He married his wife of nearly 60 years, Lola Murphey, on Sept. 5, 1948. They moved to Winthrop in 1955 where they lived until 1974, during which time Bob worked in the Winthrop State Bank and owned the Brigger Insurance Agency. In 1974 Bob and Lola Moved to Webster City, Iowa before moving back to Minnesota living in Hastings, Blue Earth and Fairmont before moving to New Ulm in 1982. In his later years Bob was employed at both Dittrich Specialties and in the deli department at Cash Wise Foods.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Lola in 2008 and a daughter Robin in 1950 along with a sister Marjorie and brothers Walter Jr. and Merle. He is survived by his brother Richard of Little Rock, Ark., as well as sons Michael (Sonja) of New Ulm, Barry of Mankato, Brian of Apache Junction, Ariz, and Mark of Frisco, Texas. along with four grandchildren Sara (Mark) Dziuk, Marni (Ian) Pearson, Tyler Brigger, and Alison Brigger as well as two great-granddaughters Addison Dziuk and Evangeline Pearson.