John R. Burgstahler

Obituary

John R. Burgstahler was born on September 20, 1928, at the family home in Sibley County, Minnesota. He was the son of Howard and Bertha (Boehlke) Burgstahler. John was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at Zion United Methodist Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. He received his education in Stewart, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Stewart High School Class of 1946. John furthered his education at Agriculture School in Hector, Minnesota.

John entered active military service in the United States Army on January 19, 1952, at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 17, 1953, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.

On July 18, 1954, John was united in marriage to Zelda Friese at Evangelical Free Church in Balaton, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Polly, Grant, Kay, and Reed. John and Zelda resided on the family farm in rural Stewart, Minnesota. They shared 45 years of marriage before the passing of Zelda in 1999.

On June 11, 2000, John was united in marriage to Sharon Lewis-Koeberl at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minnesota. John and Sharon resided on the family farm. They shared 21 years of marriage.

John was a life-long farmer and stayed active in farming until the age of 80. He then became the “gofer” and always offered advice. After each trip from the farm, John would hop into his shiny red pickup to “road farm”, checking all the fields. John was a member of Zion United Methodist Church. He was also a Trustee, on the Administrative Board and Building Committee at Zion United Methodist Church.

John enjoyed spending time at the cabin on Green Lake in Spicer, Minnesota, fishing, and riding tractor with “the Boys”, golfing, playing cards, traveling, and wintering in Arizona. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

John passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Banner Hospital in Gilbert, Arizona, at the age of 93 years.

Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his:
Wife, Sharon Burgstahler of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Polly Wenger and her husband, Mark of Maple Grove, MN,
Grant Burgstahler and his wife, Deb of Winthrop, MN,
Kay Baumetz and her husband, Steve of Hutchinson, MN,
Reed Burgstahler and his wife, Lynae of Stewart, MN;
Step-children, David Lewis and his wife Shelli of Cosmos, MN,
William Lewis and his wife, Kathy of Whitefish Bay, WI;
Grandchildren, Jessica, Amy, Leslie, Paige, Lawton, Lucas, Riley, Jonny, Sonia, Sara, Gary, Brennan, Cullen, Bill, Ryan;
21 Great-grandchildren;
Sister, Jean Pittman of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister-in-law, Ellen Burgstahler of Indiana;
Cousin, Florey Hendrickson of Crosby, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his Parents, Howard and Bertha Burgstahler; Wife, Zelda Burgstahler; Great-granddaughter, Quinn Burgstahler in infancy; Brothers, Jim and Ned Burgstahler; Sister, Lois Bryan; Brothers-in-law, George Bryan and Delmar Pittman; Sisters-in-law, Irene Burgstahler and Arlene Burgstahler.