Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with Vicar Pat Schubert officiating.  Organist will be Michelle Greseth and soloist will be Holly Anderson.

Jacob Willis Bruguier was born on January 18, 1984 in Vermillion, SD to Phyllis (Chilson) and Leonard (Lee) Bruguier.  He died unexpectedly on November 20, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, due to complications from a neurological degenerative disorder.  Jacob was the third of three children in the family.  He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, SD on March 11, 1984 and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton on October 29, 2000.  He graduated from Sisseton High School with the class of 2003. When Jacob was four months old he moved with his mother and siblings to a small farm site southwest of Sisseton, and that is where he grew up.  Jacob was an energetic child! He loved being out of doors, being with the animals.  Horse activities and riding horseback with his family were a big part of Jacob's life.  Growing up he was active in 4-H, riding club, and church youth group activities.  He especially liked bull riding at the 4-H rodeos, and he liked showing his dog Shep. Jacob was an avid Denver Bronco fan.  Wherever he lived his room was brightly decorated with blue and orange.  The color scheme was further brightened with green and yellow for the John Deere tractors he favored - influenced by Grandpa Billy and Uncle Dale of course.     Jacob was definitely a people person.  He had an amazing ability to remember faces, birthdays, and phone numbers.  Any place he went, he would recognize someone.  He always had a hearty 'Hello', a smile that could light up the world, and a laugh that would make even the grinch laugh with him.    Although Jacob's disorder was not diagnosed until he was an adult, it had an impact on his entire life.  Growing up he had difficulty relating to people, difficulty following rules, and difficulty staying within social guidelines.  But whatever life threw his way, he took it in stride and dealt with it with gusto.  He did not complain, did not feel sorry for himself, and did not use his condition as an excuse.  Because of his condition, Jacob spent almost his entire adult life living in an institutional setting.  After graduation he was at Atco in Watertown, SD for a time, then he was moved to the Developmental Center in Redfield, SD.  He lived there for many years.  Due to deteriorating health,  Jacob moved to Aspire in Aberdeen, SD for a short time, and then to the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton.  He passed away at the Tekakwitha Living Center on November 20, 2023.  He was happy at TLC - he liked his 'apartment' and his lights.    Jacob was a unique person.  He had an awesome sense of humor and loved to joke and make people laugh.  He was a kind hearted and thoughtful person, and always willing to help anyone that needed help.  He could also be the most annoying person in the world.

Jacob is survived by his mother Phyllis Bruguier of Sisseton; sister Petra (Tim) Dooley of Cedar Park, TX; brother Gabriel Bruguier of Lincoln, NE; nephew Wyatt and niece Claire Dooley, Cedar Park, TX; uncles Dale (Theresa) Chilson of Sisseton, and Douglas (Corinne) Chilson of Brandon, SD; honorary aunt and uncle Mary and George Frerck of Sisseton; several cousins, and a multitude of good friends.

Jacob is preceded in death by his father Dr. Leonard Bruguier; maternal grandparents Willis (Billy) and Elaine Chilson; paternal grandmother Sybil Bruguier; aunt and uncle Leora (Chilson)  and David Pooler; and uncle James Bruguier.

Anyone who met Jacob has a Jacob story to tell.  He was that kind of guy.

Catch ya later alligator — you'll always be my baby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Grace Lutheran Youth or Roberts County 4-H Rodeo Program.