Gerald Vincent Burkhartsmeier

Gerald Vincent Burkhartsmeier, 79, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020, at the Heart of America Care Center. Gerald, born on May 25, 1941, was the eldest son of Peter and Marie (Peters) Burkhartsmeier. He spent much of his childhood on the family farm and attended school in Knox, North Dakota. Following his high school graduation in 1959, he worked for the State Water Department, Pleasant Lake Grain and United Buckingham, as well as joining the National Guard. He was a Pierce County commissioner from 1987-1990 and a volunteer fireman for the Rugby Fire Department for many years. He married Orpha Vestre on November 20, 1965 and they raised 3 daughters. As the saying goes, “You can take the boy off the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy.” Gerald started farming with his Dad before taking over the family operation south of Knox. He farmed for more than 30 years. Farming was his life and retirement wasn’t good on him. He farmed, that’s what he did. When his body couldn’t handle it anymore, he retired. He rented out his land and three years later his son-in-law asked to buy if with future dreams of Gerald’s grandson running his farm. It gave him much joy. He would often tell Jaxon how he could build a house out there someday. After retirement, he would go to the farm to help move machinery or to just sit in his pickup and watch as they worked the land. He loved his granddaughters, but it was his grandsons that truly held a special place in his heart as he often told them to go and take a tractor or two from his toy tractor collection every time they came to visit. He was a big man with a big heart when he wanted to be and, at other times, he was so stubborn you didn’t know what to say to him. As quoted from one of his granddaughters, “Grandpa was the most stubborn, goofy, hard-headed man ever, but he sure was loveable!” He was a storyteller, and if you spent much time with him you often heard the same stories repeated over and over again, maybe with a little more flair each time. He moved into HAMC Care Center in June, 2019, where the staff took great care of him. He loved visitors, just keep it short! With limited exposure these last nine months, the staff always would have such kind words to say about him. Sometimes we wondered if they were taking care of the right guy! Dementia can really change a person’s personality. Gerald is survived by his wife of 55 years; three daughters, LeAnn (Neil) Fuchs of Jamestown, Pamela Burkhartsmeier, Bismarck, and Mary (Derrick) Klein, Rugby; 9 grandchildren, Kelli Fuchs, Julie (Daniel) Fischer, and Nikolaus Fuchs, Emily, Jacob and Joseph Bosley, Paxton, Camile and Jaxon Klein, plus one great-grandson, Louie Neil Fischer. Gerald also has two brothers: Gene, of Rugby and Charles (Sally), Faribault, MN, and two sisters: Patti Hook, Mesa, AZ, and Jane (Paul) Kourajian, Lino Lakes, MN. Additional family members include his uncles, James Peters in Devils Lake, Charles (Dorothy) Peters, Perth; and his aunts, Louisa (Eugene) Newberry, Oak Park, IL and Sr Gemma Peters, Bismarck, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara, his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. The family extends a special thank you to the Heart of America Care Center staff for their care of our husband, father and grandfather. Memorials in Gerald’s name may be given to Turtle Mountain Lutheran Cemetery or a charity of your choice. A private celebration will be held on Saturday, December 5th at the Anderson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Dorn and burial to follow at Turtle Mountain Lutheran Cemetery in Carbury, ND. Honorary Bearers: All grandchildren Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, all guests will be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.