Groff Funeral Home

Gertrude (Schwarz) Buggele

Oct. 30, 1936 – Dec. 29, 2018

Gertrude (Gertie) Buggele, 82, residing in Milan, passed away compassionately on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 5:59 a.m. with her six daughters, husbands and family surrounding her.

Gertie was born October 30, 1936, in Augsburg, Germany to the late Friedrich Schwarz and Emma (Dirr) Schwarz.

Married to Al Buggele since June 20, 1959, she is a beloved wife, mother and Omi. Gertie is survived by her husband, Al; daughters: Karen (Bill) Roberts of Noblesville, IN; Sharon Buggele of Ohio; Heidi (Richard) Dickey of Columbus, IN; Barbara (Daniel) Salai of Medina, OH; Lisa (Jim) Teed of Milan, OH; and Andrea Buggele of Milan, OH; nine grandchildren Allison (Gary) Gipson; Patrick Roberts; Lauren Teed, Rachel Teed; Leigh Roberts; Elizabeth Salai; Katie Salai; Teresa Salai and Jamie Teed; sister Hildegard Magg, and brothers Werner (Ruth) Schwarz, Walter (Susan) Schwarz, and Oskar (Renate) Roschmann-Schwarz, and many nieces, nephews and great grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

In addition to her parents, Gertrude is preceded in death by her brother Fritz Schwartz of Milwaukee, WI, and brother-in-law Josef Magg and nephew Wolfgang Magg of Zusalmaltheim, Germany.

Gertie has always been a significant contributor to the community of Milan since the family’s residency in March 1968. She took great pride in her recent participation to acquire and dedicate the Blue Star Memorial honoring veterans and the Thomas Edison Statue at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capital. Her spectrum of engagement and impact includes being recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Village of Milan, knitting newborn clothing for the Marion program, being called upon by the Berlin-Milan School system as a German translator for families and children, and mentoring 4-H youth. Gertie was a longtime election board poll worker in Huron County and a volunteer in other Milan community efforts. After immigrating to the U.S. from Augsburg, Germany, in 1955, she worked at Harmischfeger in Milwaukee, WI. She also has worked as a docent, curator and board trustee at the Milan Historical Museum. Gertie’s love for history is evident in her longstanding interest in American history and worldwide traveling.

Friends may call on Friday, Jan. 4, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 145 Center St., Milan, OH. The Rite of Christian Burial and Catholic Mass will take place Saturday, Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Fr. Francis Mariadas, SAC, of St. Anthony’s will officiate. A procession to the Milan Cemetery with graveside memorial prayers will follow and all are welcome.

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