Raymond "Buzz" Burkhardt

Raymond “Buzz” Paul Burkhardt, 80 of Ellendale, ND died December 15, 2016 at Oakes Community Hospital, Oakes, ND. He was born December 15, 1936 at his home in Ada township, Guelph ND to Peter and Edna (Lee) Burkhardt. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, Ada #2 through 8th grade. He graduated from Guelph High School in 1954 as valedictorian of a class of two. In 1954 he enlisted in the US Navy on a baby cruise and served on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. In 1956 he received the distinguished honor of “Sailor of the Month”. Buzz was honorably discharged in 1957. He returned to Guelph and began farming with his father and later joined with his brother, Doyle. In 1958, Buzz married Janet Dosch. To this union, 3 children were born: Douglas, Kristin and Jodi. Farming was not just his career, it was his way of life. In his early farming career he helped neighbors shell corn. In the 70’s he and his brother Doyle operated a custom spraying business. In 1980 they bought Retzlaff Implement and opened a White Farm Equipment dealership that was known as Burkhardt Implement. Buzz was up early in the morning for the Guelph coffee meeting and then to work in the fields for the next 58 years. He was not particularly fond of meetings of any sort but he was active in the NFO, Dickey County Weed Board, Democratic party, and an active member at Christ the King Lutheran Church. He became a member of the Ellendale Scottish Rite of Free Masonry and in 1972 joined the Aberdeen Yelduz Shrine. He was a member of the Bean Goodwin American Legion Post, Oakes, ND. On February 16, 1990, Buzz married Kathleen Jury Hildenbrand. Together they continued farming, enjoyed golfing, gardening, pheasant hunting, spending time with grandchildren and traveling in the States and abroad. After Kathy’s retirement and his semi-retirement they wintered in Brownsville, TX where they spent time with wonderful friends golfing, having pie parties, spending time at the beaches, South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach and of course checking out all the restaurants and other eating establishments. They sold the farm in 2013 and moved to their current residence in Ellendale, but that didn’t stop him from going to coffee every morning and staying involved in the farming operation. Although Buzz was diagnosed with leukemia in October 2013, it didn’t stop him from participating in farming and other hobbies and activities until the last few months. Buzz was a fighter and believer that he was going to survive this illness. He eventually lost the battle with cancer on his 80th birthday at the Oakes Community Hospital. Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife of almost 27 years, Kathy, three children: Douglas, Kristin (Brian) McBride, Jodi (Steve) Bruns; three stepchildren: Cari (Martin) Haase, Jason (Sabrina) Hildenbrand and Ryan Hildenbrand (Amanda Janke); eight grandchildren: Connor and Peter McBride, Walker Bruns, Rachelle (Dylan) Slotten, Dustin Hildenbrand, Erin, Isaac and Amy Haase; one very special great-grandchild: Declan Ray Slotten; two brothers: Doyle (Sandra) Burkhardt, Colin (Sharon) Burkhardt; two sisters: Wilma Raugutt, Evelyn (Jack) Telin and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger, brother-in-law Walter Raugutt, and uncles Tom, Joe and Frank Burkhardt. Funeral services are 10:30am Wednesday, December 21 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Pastor Galen Sylvester officiating. Visitation is 3-8pm Tuesday with prayer and Masonic services at 7pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel. Burial with Military Honors is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.