Mary Pauline Bruegger

Mary Pauline Bruegger, age 99, of Penelope, passed away late Thursday morning, January 29, 2009 at West Rest Haven in West. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home by Dorothy Machac, with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Nativity, B.V.M. in Penelope, with Rev. B. George as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Mary was born April 6, 1909 in Dallas the daughter of Otto and Mary Ann (Horak) Bruegger. She attended schools near Penelope and was a graduate of Penelope High School. She was a lifelong and faithful member of the Church of the Nativity, B.V.M. in Penelope where she taught Catechism classes for grades 1 thru 4 from 1960 until 1977. She took care of the altar linens and walked all over Penelope to collect flowers to place on the altar for services. Mary worked as a bookkeeper for her brother, Otto Bruegger who was an accountant, for many years until her retirement. Mary was an artist and painted numerous paintings which she donated to decorate the new rectory. She also donated a painting each year for the annual church bazaar as well as painting the bazaar posters. In the 1980's she donated a painting of the church to hang in the parish hall. Her paintings also hang in West Rest Haven and West Middle School. Mary also helped to repaint the old statues in the church during the late 1960's. Mary also had a love of history and helped to write a book on the history of Penelope in 1970 and prepared a brief history for the church directory in 1984 along with Father Bohumil Hruby. Mary enjoyed walking and never had a driver's license; she simply walked where she needed to go. She also wrote the Penelope news for the West News and the Hubbard City News papers. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Otto George Bruegger; and two nephews, John Bruegger and David Bruegger. Survivors include three nieces, Rita Perry and husband Jim of Ft. Worth, Charlotte Talley and husband Fred of Tomball, and Elizabeth Simonson and husband Al of Liberty; three nephews, Pat Bruegger of Waller, Chuck Bruegger and wife Judi of Bryan, and Mike Bruegger and wife Beth of Spring; 20 great nieces and nephews; 25 great great nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.