Eugene R. "Gene" Burkhardt
July 20, 1943 — March 23, 2016
Eugene R. "Gene" Burkhardt, 72, of Grand Island died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Grand Island.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. Reverend Daniel Bremer will officiate. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors by Burton Beyer American Legion Post #120 of Palmer.
Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Greenway Funeral Home in Palmer.
Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Burton Beyer American Legion Post #120.
Mr. Burkhardt was born July 20, 1943 on a farm west of Palmer to Arthur and Elsie (Zlomke) Burkhardt.
Gene was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer.
Gene attended rural school District 36 near Palmer and then attended Palmer Public Schools.
After his schooling he worked for Lemmerman’s Hatchery before entering the United States Army where he served for two years.
After receiving his discharge from the Army, he worked at Foster Lumber Co. in Central City and then for Overhead Door in Grand Island.
Gene retired at age 55 because of poor health.
He moved to the Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Grand Island in June 2003 where he lived for the remainder of his life.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island.
Gene was a self-taught musician, especially the piano. He could play a song by just listening to it. He was an avid Elvis Presley fan. He also enjoyed shuffleboard, horseshoes, music, family gatherings, horse races. He also loved to joke with people.
Survivors include three brothers and a sister-in-law, Robert Burkhardt of Palmer, Gary and Sue Burkhardt of St. Paul and Rick Burkhardt of Central City; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Darlene Miller of Grand Island, Donna Berst and Carolyn and Paul Scarborough of St. Paul; a special daughter, Heather Wischmeier of Felch, MI and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Peetz and her husband, Arlen; a brother, Dale Burkhardt and his wife, Eilene; and brothers-in-law, Delbert Miller and Harold Berst.