HIGHMORE, SD  – Connie Brueggeman, 77, of Highmore, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024, at her home.
A rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore. Visitation will follow the rosary until the time of the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow service in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Highmore.
Connie Priscilla (Paynter) Brueggeman was born November 19, 1946, in Mitchell, South Dakota to Wilford “Bill” and Priscilla (Newell) Paynter. Connie moved to Highmore at a young age with her parents. Brothers Jim and Richard later joined the family. After graduating from Highmore High School in 1964, she pursued a degree in elementary education with a minor in library science from Northern State College. Her first teaching job was as a second-grade teacher in Leola. While back in Highmore on a school break, she met Kenneth Brueggeman who had recently begun a job in Highmore.
Connie and Ken were united in marriage on April 7, 1969, Easter Monday, on a school break from her teaching job and moved back to Highmore upon completion of the school term. Three children were born to this union, and they were her pride and joy, Billy, Patrick (Kristin), and Carrie (Jim).
Connie continued her devotion to education, this time serving as the school librarian in the Highmore school district for over 35 years. She inspired many generations of kids to have a love of reading, especially her daughter and granddaughter, Carly. One of Connie’s favorite gifts to give was books and she never turned down an opportunity to buy a book. After retirement she served on the library board for many years and was an advocate for our county library.
During Connie’s years in the school system, she also served many years as the junior class advisor which entailed many hours decorating for prom, building floats for homecoming and popping corn with the old popcorn machine from the movie theater for home sporting events as the concession advisor. Oh, the stories she would tell about the times spent with teenagers.
Connie’s most favorite thing to do was support her children and later her grandchildren. The number of sporting and other events she missed over the years of Pat and Carrie could be counted on one hand. Connie could be found helping and supporting Billy through his various business endeavors from attending ceramic shows to helping at his sports and later flower shop. Then the grandkids came along and there was nobody that could outshine her grandkids. She was able to attend many of the grandkids events in their early years and later when her health didn’t allow, she became an avid fan of the online versions of the events and was thankful for the opportunity to still “cheer” her grandkids on and if you happened to visit during that time, you probably caught her yelling right along to the action! Spoiling the grandkids was her favorite hobby.
Connie was diagnosed in 2011 with laryngeal cancer and battled the cancer itself and the aftereffects with the Paynter stubbornness and is now at rest.
Connie is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ken; children: Billy of Highmore, Patrick (Kristin) of Pierre and children, Austin, Brennen (Emily), Collin, Aiden, Sophia, and step-granddaughter, Miranda; Carrie (Jim) of Highmore and children Carson and Carly; brothers, Jim (Susie) and Richard; in-laws: Ronnie (Suzi), Susan (Jerry) Walker, Melvin (Debbie), Terry (Pam), Sharon Brueggeman and a host of nieces and nephews and all those who called her “ma” .
Connie is preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Heidi Brueggeman; brother-in-law, Alan Brueggeman; nephew, Kip Brueggeman; and a host of faithful canine companions, especially her Tuffy.
Memorials will be directed to Steps for Hope and the Hyde County Library.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Connie’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)

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