Edward Ellis Brugger, 89

Edward “Chappie” Brugger was born to Edward Lee and Nelle May Brugger on July 9, 1923, in Post Falls.

He graduated from Post Falls High School in 1941. After graduation, he went to Seattle to work for the Boeing airplane factory. The next year he returned to Post Falls and began his farming career. Chap married Lois Marie Welch on Dec. 12, 1953. The have four daughters. Chap was a hard worker.

A a lifelong farmer, he enjoyed raising a variety of crops including, squash and green beans to be canned at the cannery in Post Falls, green beans for the Green Giant Company and grass seed for Jacklin Seed Company. Chappie also worked as a sprinkler foreman for Jacklin Seed until his retirement. During the long winter months, Chap helped dig many of the water wells in the area by hand.

Chappie volunteered much of his time to the community, such as with the Fire Department and the Irrigation District. He was a member of the Eagles. As a co-founder of the Quad Park baseball fields in Post Falls, Chap loved to watch the games and visit with all of the players and their families and friends. He took pride in keeping the grounds in tip top shape.

Always interested in caring for others, wanting them to be “warm and well fed,” Chappie loved spending hours chopping wood for the family and providing sweet corn and other produce from his garden to many in the community. Along with the fruits of his labor, he shared joking and laughter with all. His passion was music and song. He spent many hours perfecting his extensive music library.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret Nan Koehler of Las Vagas, Nev., and Mavis Jean Ross of Coeur d’Alene.

Chappie is survived by his wife, Lois, at home; four daughters, Marlene Kay Burrow, Kathie Lynn Massegossa, Cheryl Lee Foster of Post Falls and Lori Jean Steward of Cataldo; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister Norma “Dede” Lee Ator of Clarkston, Wash.; and many loving nieces, nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, with a reception to follow in the chapel’s reception room.

Contributions can be made to River City Hospice, 3726 E. Mullan Ave. Post Falls.

Please sign Chappie’s guest registry and view his online memorials at englishfuneralchapel.com.