John H. Burgardt

BRITT - John H. Burgardt, 82, of Britt died Friday, May 23, 2014 at his home.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 28th at First Lutheran Church in Britt with Rev. Norman Bauer officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery with military rites by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 P.M., Tuesday at First Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

John Harold Burgardt, the son of Elder and Yardie (Anderson) Burgardt, was born June 2, 1931 on the family farm north of Britt. He was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt. John graduated from Britt High School in 1948. He farmed in the Britt area until being drafted into the Army on March 10, 1954. John was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and went through basic training with the 86th Reconnaissance Battalion in D Company of the 6th Armored Division. At graduation John was cited for being an outstanding trainee during basic training. Following graduation he was assigned to the 68th Medium Tank Battalion, Company C of the 6th Armored Division where he held the position of Administrative Clerk. On May 15, 1955, he married Imogene Weiland at First Lutheran Church in Britt. They returned to Fort Leonard Wood together where John continued his service and Imogene began working in a dental clinic following completion of a civil service test. John achieved the rank of Sergeant (E-5), prior to being honorably discharged on March 9, 1956. After his discharge John joined the Army Reserves and was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Following the years serving his country, John and Imogene lived north of Britt where he shared his passion for farming with his brother, Connie. John enjoyed his family, attending numerous activities for his grandchildren along with farming, reading farm magazines, fishing, softball, tennis, and golfing.

John was a member of First Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and as Church Treasurer. He was a member of the Farmers Co-op for many years serving on the Board for eighteen years, fifteen of which he was President. John held the positions of Britt Township Trustee for forty years and Bank Director at First State Bank in Britt for twenty years as well as belonging to the Britt American Legion.

John is survived by his wife, Imogene, of Britt; four children, Julie (Lou) Banker of Cedar Rapids and their three children, Christopher, Matthew and Abigail, Ricky (Laurie) Burgardt of Britt and their three children, Jonathan, Whitney and Sydney, Barbara (Brett) Walker of Waverly and their four children, Emily, Hannah, Madison and Seth Walker and Allan (JoAnn) Burgardt of Britt and their three daughters, Valerie (Kit) Quayle, Lindsey Burgardt and Nicole Burgardt; a brother, Connie (Norma) Burgardt of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alvin and Clayton Burgardt; and sisters, Marilyn Glynn and Erlis Stevens.