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Gloria M. Brugman, age 90, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, SD. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Watertown. Pastor Sara McMannus will officiate. Music will be provided by Lesa Dahl as organist. The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded via the church youtube page. Click the button on the bottom of the obituary to access the youtube page.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Friday from 5-7 p.m.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary Pallbearers will be her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Active Pallbearers will be her Grandsons: Ryan Brugman, Blake Lantgen, Elliot Brugman, Dylan Brugman, Alex Simonton, and Lance Becking.
Gloria Mae (Reinschmidt) Brugman, daughter of William and Alma (Blumhardt) Reinschmidt was born October 22, 1935, in Potter County, Gettysburg, SD. She was two years old when they moved from Gettysburg to a farm near Castlewood with her parents. In 1944 they moved to a farm near Hayti and finally purchased a farm near Thomas in 1947.
She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Gloria met Donald Brugman while roller skating at the Spider Web in Watertown. They were married on June 18th, 1955 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grover, SD. Don and Gloria lived on Don’s family dairy farm. From this union they raised six children. Gloria was busy with gardening, cooking, and raising her children. Don and Gloria moved to Watertown in 2009. They were married for 58 years before Don’s passing in 2014.
Growing up, Gloria attended Hayti #2, Oxford & Thomas schools. She was also a member of the Hazel softball team that won the Softball State Championship in 1953.
Gloria was a member and a Sunday School teacher at Kellerton United Methodist Church in rural Hazel. She was a member of the Hazel Homemakers club, a 4-H leader for 40+ years, belonged to the Hazel Birthday Club and was a cook for the Hamlin School District for 19 years.
Later in life her greatest enjoyment was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Don traveled many places and watched their baseball, volleyball, basketball, football and softball games along with dance recitals, school & church concerts and much more. She always made a birthday phone call and never missed sending a card.
Gloria is survived by her children, Gary (Cindy) Brugman, Buffy “Donna” Neuberger, Mark (Carman) Brugman, Paula (John) Maloney, Deanna (Rick) Simonton, and Darla (Todd) Becking, all of Watertown; one brother, Paul (Carlee) Reinschmidt of Watertown; sister-in-law, Loretta Reinschmidt of Ipswich; grandchildren: Ryan (Kristal) Brugman, Wendi (Tony) Engebretsen, Blake (Misti) Lantgen, Elliot Brugman, Dylan (Cassie) Brugman, Megan (Adam) Paulsen, Abby Maloney, Sydney Maloney, Kaylee (Dan) Cooke, Alex Simonton, Lance (Kelsey) Becking, and Holly (Nick) Delaney; 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, granddaughter, Brandi Lantgen, grandson, Kenneth Neuberger Jr., son-in-law, Kenneth Neuberger, and brother, Bill Reinschmidt Jr.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti
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