Pastor Joseph D. Brygger

Pastor Joseph D. Brygger, 86, longtime area minister and educator, died peacefully Monday, March 2, 2015 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN, following a courageous battle with cancer surrounded, by his family.

He was born on September 27, 1928 in North Carolina to Eliza Denny.
He graduated from Tyler High School in 1946, Bethel College in 1950 and Bethel Seminary in 1953. He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Guidance Counseling from UWS in 1974.

Joe married Clarice Rask on July 1, 1972 in Duluth, MN and celebrated 42 years of marriage.

He was employed as an educator with Northwestern High School in Maple for over 28 years and served as the chairman of the Social Studies Department.

He was a member of the Great Lakes Baptist Conference.

In addition to his wife Clarice, Joe is survived by three daughters, Laurel (Larry) Knowlton, Porter, Maine, Karen (Jim) Thalacker, Westfield, WI, Rebecca “Becky” (Eric) Clark, Superior; two sons, David (Debbie) Brygger, Barnes, WI, Scott (Nova) Brygger, Carmel, IN; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth (Lyle) Olson, Faribault, MN, Martha (Dennis) Hatfield, Sioux Falls, SD and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Eliza (Denny) Carlson; his adoptive parents, Mads and Margaret Brygger and a brother David Carlson.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2015 at Grace Baptist Church in Iron River, Wisconsin from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10:00 AM in Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, WI and continue until the 11:00 AM Funeral Service with Pastor Gary Harrison and Pastor Tom Blomberg co-officiating.

Burial will be in the Lake Nebagamon Cemetery at a later date.
Joe’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be recognized as pallbearers.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 6030 Mitchell Road, Iron River, WI 54847.
To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.