In Loving Memory

Helen Marie Brugger

Long time Chewelah resident Helen Marie Brugger passed away in the early morning of January 3rd, 2022. She was 90 years old.

Helen was born on March 26, 1931 in Butte, MT. to Howard Crocket and Esther Anna (Look) Taylor. She was the 2nd oldest in a family of 13 children that eventually settled in Meyers Falls, WA. Being the oldest girl, she often helped care for her younger siblings.

She graduated from Jenkins High School in the spring of 1949 and then eloped in June with Joe L. Brugger to Coeur d'Alene, ID. although as she put it, "It is not eloping if you take your parents with you." They were married June 9, 1949. Helen moved onto the Brugger farm in the Cozy Nook area and embarked on a long career of milking cows. They took the Cozy Nook Springs Dairy to Grade A milk status and were honored in the early 80s by Darigold. Helen milked cows for over 40 years, and she cried when they had to sell them. In all the years she rarely took vacation but when she did, her favorite destination was Alaska. After selling the dairy in 2000 and moving into town, she worked in elder care by cleaning and cooking meals for several Chewelah residents allowing them to stay in their homes. Fortunately, Helen remained active and stayed in her home until her death.

Helen's greatest joy was her family and together with Joe raised 4 children. She was eventually blessed with 7 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, her brothers Lawrence, Lennie, and Larry and sisters Marva, Bonnie, Violet, Anna, and Deloris. She is survived by sisters, Donna, Joyce, Ellen, and Mary.

She is also survived by her children Barbara (Richard) Cornwall, John (Marilee) Brugger, Janet (Jeff) Helm, Frank (Tanya) Brugger. Grandchildren; Charles (Laila) Cornwall, Michelle (William) Beasley, Jason (Kathy ) Brugger, Andrea Brugger, Christopher Helm, Stephanie(Matthew) Morrow, Ashleigh (Blake) Larson. Great grandchildren; Joseph, Jacob, Mattias (Elizabeth) and Katrine Cornwall; Emma, Vanessa, Patrick and Hannah Beasley; Kaitlin Brugger; Porsche Brugger; Lilly, Tierney, Cheyenne, and Sofia Morrow; Sophia Larson. She was also Grandma B to 2 bonus grandchildren by marriage, Daniel and Brie-Anne.

Funeral service will be held 11:00AM Friday Jan. 14th at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Chewelah.