Charles Burkhardt

Charles (Chuck) Burkhardt, 77, of Jefferson, died Nov. 9. 

Chuck was born Jan. 20, 1943, in Guthrie Center to Kenneth and Ruth (Badger) Burkhardt. Chuck grew up on a family farm outside of Bagley and graduated from Bagley High School in 1961.

Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Burns, on July 2, 1961, in Bagley. To this union, four children were born: Karon, Randy, Dan and Rich.

Chuck worked as a mechanic for several different companies (Gilliland Inc., DOT and Harrison Ford) before opening his own mechanic shop in 1975 in Jefferson, where he mentored many young men. His hobbies and his work were one in the same.

He loved to go snowmobiling, do truck pulls and drag racing. Through the years, Chuck built many winning race engines for several local racers. He built the engine for the 1987 IMCA modified Winter Series Champion in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

The love of racing took Chuck and Bonnie to Daytona to attend Speed Week for many years. They were also avid snowbirds and loved to spend time in the Florida Keys and spent many summer trips with family to the Black Hills.

Friends may pay their respects, view the video tribute and sign the guest book from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home. The family will not be present.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at the Greenbrier Twp. Cemetery, with words of comfort by Pastor Seth Karber.

Honorary bearers will be Tyler Ireland, Nate Ireland, Taylor Burkhardt, Hailey Burkhardt, Rachel Winkelman, Hannah Karber, Bryce Burkhardt and Roger Herridge.

Music will be “In Color” by Jamey Johnson and “Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan.

Following the graveside service, everyone is invited to Chuck’s house — 307 E. Central Ave., Jefferson — to share memories and to celebrate Chuck’s life. 

Survivors include his sons: Randy (Julie) Burkhardt, of Bagley; Dan (Robbie) Burkhardt, of Jefferson; and Rich Burkhardt, of Jefferson;   one brother, Jerry (Nancy) Burkhardt, of Bagley;  one sister, Kay (Bill) Eich, of Elston;  two brothers-in-law: Tim (Janelle) Burns, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Tom Burns, of Sergeant Bluff;  sisters-in-law: Barbara Edwards, of Council Bluffs; Kathy (Ralph) Batton, of Indiana; Chris (Cam) Sutherland, of Yale; and Kim (Jeff) Bauer, of Bagley.

Chuck is also proud grandfather to seven grandkids: Tyler (Diana) Ireland, Nate Ireland, Taylor (Sarah) Burkhardt, Hailey Burkhardt, Rachel (Noah) Winkelman,  Hannah (Seth) Karber and Bryce (Jenna) Burkhardt; 13 great-grandkids: Dyllon, Kennedy, Nixon, Ember and Aubry Ireland, Ella Burkhardt, Zoey, Ezra, Rowan and Adeline Winkelman, Melanie, Maisie and Micah Karber; and many nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; daughter Karon; parents Kenneth and Ruth Burkhardt; and nephew Derek Burkhardt.