Anton "Tony" Burkhardsmeier, 82, of Minnewaukan, ND,  died Monday, June 9, 2014, at Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 18th, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Devils Lake with Fr. Chad Wilhelm and Fr. Charles Leute O.P., celebrants.  Cathy Burkhardsmeier will be the lector.  Visitation will be Tuesday, June 17th, from 5 to 7 pm at the church followed by a 7:00pm Wake Service.  Casket bearers will be:  Roger Huffman, Floyd Dressen, Ed Haskell, Kevin Brager, Fred Brager and Ron DesMarais.  Honorary bearers will be:  Lloyd Burgess, Curtis Bracken and Paul Streifel.

Anton "Tony" Burkhardsmeier was born January 24, 1932 at Rugby, ND, to John Peter and Johanna (Myer) Burkhardsmeier.  At the age of 12, the family moved from Towner, ND  to Leeds.  Tony attended the Leeds School and High School and worked for his Uncle Joe Burkhardsmeier on the ranch near Towner.  Tony later worked for Lyle Marchus, John Holmes and Mike Donovan in Leeds.  Tony married Louise Des Forges on October 21, 1950 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Leeds.  He operated the Phillips 66 Station in Leeds and in 1965 became employed by the Benson County Highway Department.  Tony and Louise moved to Minnewaukan in 1967.  He retired from the highway department in 1995, but worked for FEMA for several years.

Tony was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Minnewaukan until its closure and was currently a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Devils Lake.  He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, joining when he was 18.  Tony enjoyed fishing, hunting ducks, geese and deer and playing cards with his friends, camping, working around the yard and gardening.  He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and playing cards with them.

Surviving are his wife:  Louise of Devils Lake;  children:  Cathy Burkhardsmeier of Minnewaukan,  Lou (Darlene) Burkhardsmeier of Fargo,  Mary Jo Burkhardsmeier of Devils Lake and Toni (Brad) Adam of Reynolds, ND;  5 grandchildren:  Brandi (Ronald) Des Marais,  Ashley Burkhardsmeier,  Michael (Angie) Burkhardsmeier,  Adam Burkhardsmeier and Christopher Adam;  5 great-grandchildren:  Kaitlyn,  Olivia,  Jacob,  Isabelle & Sophia DesMarais;  a brother:  Richard (Sue) Burkhardsmeier of Roy, UT;  sisters:  Mary Ann (Wayne) Brager of Leeds,  Vivian (Ron) Jorgenson of Rapid City, SD and Beverly (Curtis) Bracken of Devils Lake;  a number of nieces and nephews.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law:  Betty (Dennis) Grady and Patty (Gordon) Owens;  sister-in-law and brother-in-law:  Marie and Andrew Mitzel, who were Tony and Louise's best man and maid of honor at their wedding.



Condolences:

To my Godfather, who I will miss very, very much. I will miss taking his poker money. I will miss his Choke Cherry Wine. I will miss him holding jokers to long in Penny Rummy. Most of all I will miss my Godfather's ability to always make me feel very important to him. Love you Uncle and your beautiful family. Love Michael and CoAnn Grady



Cathy, I was sad to learn about your father's death.  My sympathy to you and your family.  Love and prayers.  Barbara Dove



So sorry to hear about Tony's passing. I know all the love and memories that you will always cherish when you think of his life here on earth. May those memories ease your heartache at this difficult time.  Sorry we cannot be there for his service, but you will all be in our prayers!  May Tony now rest in peace and enjoy his new home in heaven! Allen, Kim, Krista and Jordan