Joan Lynn (Bruggeman) Lingle, 27 Aug 1961 - 09 Apr 2020

LINGLE, BRUGGEMAN, DERYCKE, ANDREWS, GARRINGER, DESMET, KRAUSS, BOEDING, SCHULTZ, KNOBLAUCH, KIGGINS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 4/15/2020 at 12:53:06

Joan (Bruggeman) Lingle, age 58 of Williamsburg and formerly of Victor, died on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

A private family graveside service was held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at Brooklyn Calvary Cemetery in Brooklyn. A public service and reception will be held at a later date due to the federal and state COVID-19 pandemic guidelines on limited gatherings.

Joan Lynn Bruggeman Lingle was born on August 27, 1961, in Marengo, Iowa, the beloved sixth child of eight to her parents, Harriet Irene (DeRycke) and Charles Rene Bruggeman. Joan was born with Apert’s Syndrome and although her life was challenging, she was able to thrive with the love and support of her family and her community who were privileged to have her in their lives. She was raised near Hartwick, Iowa and she graduated from HLV High School with the class of 1981. Joan’s family had their arms around her all of her life, and now God and the angels are taking their place.

Joan will be remembered above all for her kindness and smile and her joy for life. As Joan traveled life’s path during the last year of her life, those attributes were a blessing to all who were graced to travel the path with her. The many health care workers who cared tirelessly for Joan this past year will remember her as being one of the most grateful and optimistic patients they ever cared for. The many Facebook posts have shared phrases like: “She was so good-hearted with a smile that lights up the room”. “I loved her laugh”. “Joanie was a one of a kind gal - she was a sweet, kind, brave soul who always had a smile for everyone”. “I wish everyone had Joan’s heart”. “Joan was a beacon of God’s heaven.” We should all wish to be remembered in such a manner!

The whole world smiled when Joan married Larry Albert Lingle on June 27, 2008 at the Victor United Methodist Church. The love and happiness shone through her eyes as she embarked on her almost 12 years of married life. Joan was so happy to become a part of the Lingle family, savoring the times she was able to be with Larry’s children and grandchildren. Joan and Larry loved to eat out and especially loved eating at the Landmark, where she spent many years working as a prep cook after high school. They loved to spend time at home with their two playful cats, Nally and Lenny. Joan also loved to frequent her favorite store, Kohls, where she would often buy multiple colors of a special shirt she found!

Joan especially loved spending time with her mother, siblings and in-laws, and many nieces and nephews at the fun Bruggeman gatherings for holidays and special events.

Joan had an amazing memory for details. She devoured the local paper daily and had an encyclopedic knowledge about local people. Her family, when questioning the lineage of a family or name, would often say “Let’s ask Joan!” Joan also was a big fan of contemporary country music which gave her comfort as she underwent radiation treatments during the past year.

After high school, Joan spent over 40 years employed at Carnforth Inn, Star Inn, Landmark Restaurant and Victor Manufacturing and was looking forward to retirement in a few years. She began her career at Victor Manufacturing in Victor in June of 1997 after being encouraged by her sister Susie to make a change for a better life. There, she was able to use her exceptional cleaning skills for employment as an Office Janitor for almost 23 years. Joan was so very dedicated to her job. She rarely missed a day of work and was especially pleased each year when she got a perfect attendance bonus.

Joan is survived by the love of her life, Larry Lingle of Williamsburg; mother, Harriet Bruggeman of Brooklyn; siblings, Mike (Connie Andrews) of Walford, Iowa, Carol Garringer of Eugene, Oregon, Susie (Jim) DeSmet of Victor, Jane (Steve) Krauss of Amana, Iowa, Mary (Rollie) Boeding of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Beth (Jim Knoblauch) Schultz of Montezuma, Iowa; step-children, Jennifer (Tony) Kiggins of DeWitt, Iowa and Timothy (Katie) Lingle of Rock Ledge, Florida; seven step-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Bruggeman in 1981; sister, Patricia Bruggeman, who died in infancy in 1958; paternal and maternal grandparents; and brother-in-law, Jerry Garringer.

Joan had a desire on her “bucket list” to visit the Buddy Holly Museum in Clear Lake, Iowa. She announced this goal when we visited with her the day after her surgery last year. Unfortunately, Joan was never able to achieve this goal on earth. We have no doubt that Joan is now dancing in the heavens with Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper.

Joan’s family would especially like to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for her during her journey at the University of Iowa Holden Cancer Center, the health care workers at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg and Rosehaven Nursing Home in Marengo and Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Joan Lingle Memorial Fund, which will benefit local organizations of the family’s choice. Memorials may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 485, Victor, Iowa 52347. Memories and condolences may be shared with the Joan’s family online at www.smithfh.com.

“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.” (Elizabeth Edwards)

Published in The Gazette on April 12, 2020 and in The Hometown Current on April 15, 2020