Douglas Warren Brug

Douglas Warren Brug, 87, of Basalt, Idaho, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away at his home on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Born on December 19, 1937 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Peter and Nina Lucille Brug. Doug was the second of four children. He spent his childhood years on farms near Fairfield, Hysham, and Townsend, Montana.

A graduate of Hysham High School, class of 1956, Doug was eager to start his next adventure.

He and a close friend initially set out to join the Seabees, but when they arrived at the recruiting office, the Seabees recruiter was out to lunch. While waiting, they spoke with the Air Force recruiter instead, who convinced them to enlist. Doug signed up on the spot, beginning his 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. His service included assignments at various bases, including a year-long tour at D Nang Air Force Base and Pleiku, Vietnam before being Honorably Discharged on December 31, 1976.

Throughout his military career, Doug was married to Barbara, with whom he had three children: Tiffany, Shelley, and Scott before he and Barbara divorced. Later, he married Carol and became the proud adoptive father of her daughter, Trisha. Doug and Carol later divorced.

After retiring from the Air Force, Doug returned to Montana and briefly worked on a farm with his brother, Gordon. Realizing that farm life wasn’t his calling, he relocated to Great Falls, Montana, where he worked briefly at U-Haul before finding work in the maintenance department of Deaconess Hospital, later renamed Benefis Health Care. It was there that Doug met Glenna Wetherby. The two married on May 2, 1994 in Naples, Idaho. Doug retired after working 19 years at the hospital. He and Glenna moved to Basalt, where they made their home together until his passing.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Glenna Wetherby-Brug of Basalt, Id; his daughters, Tiffany Sue Heyduk, Shelley Marie Brug, and Trisha Turner; as well as children through his marriage with Glenna: Tracy (Alan) Kremin, Terri (Thomas) Johnson, Angela Rivera, Elizabeth (Craig) Kinghorn, and Paul Rivera. He also leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, his brother, Allen Brug of St. Anthony, ID; his sister, Karen Croom of Townsend, MT; sister-in-law, Florence Brug of Toston, MT; and his constant pest but beloved Marty Cat, who was happiest when venturing outside by his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Scott Douglas Brug, his brother, Gordon Brug, his sister-in-law, Irene Brug, and his brother-in-law, Jim Croom.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Bingham County Sheriff’s Department, the Bingham County Quick Response Team, and Nalder Funeral Home for their exceptional care and support during this time.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 413 N Main Street, Firth, ID 83236. Military Rites will be performed by David B. Bleak Post 93 and the U.S. Air Force. A private burial will take place at the Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend, MT at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.

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