Michael “Mike” Burghardt

Michael “Mike” Burghardt, 79, of 808 Sixth St. E., Fort Frances, Ont.,
passed away peacefully at his residence on Monday, Oct. 8, 2001.
He was born April 16, 1922 in Stanis Lowa, Poland to the
late Anthony “Tony” and Kathrina Burghardt. Michael
moved with his family to Lintlaw, Sask., in 1927. During
World War II, Mike served with the Canadian Army as
a private “gunner” in Canada, and overseas inBritain.
In 1942, Mike moved to Winnipeg, Man., where he
met Lena Didychuk. They were united in marriage on
Sept. 7, 1943 and lived there until his honourable discharge.
Following his discharge, they moved to Rorketon, Man.
where he worked for the C.N.R. His work took him to many places in Manitoba and Saskatchewan before settling in Fort
Frances in 1972 as a supervisor, until his retirement in February, 1981.
Mike was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29, and a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He was an avid hunter,
fisherman, and gardener for many years until his poor health affected his activities.
He was predeceased by his sister, Rose; son, Brian; daughter, Judy; and son-in-law, Victor Ryznar.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lena Burghardt of Fort Frances, Ont.; three daughters, Betty (Garry)
McInnes of Marathon, Ont.; Beverley (Grant) Kristoff of Red Lake, Ont., and Brenda (Paul) Soucy
of Fort Frances, Ont.; two sons, Rob Burghardt (Tammy), and Brent Burghardt (Maureen), all of
Fort Frances, Ont.; grandsons, Todd and Trevor Ryznar of Fort Frances, Ont.; grandchildren
Deana (Brad) Carne, Kristi (Kevin) Gerrish, Tricia (Mike) Crow, Jamie Kristoff, Billy-Jo (Scott) Chalupsky, Shelly and Chris Smith, Ashley and Rylee Burghardt, Joel and Christina
Burghardt, Megan and Joshua Soucy, and Ryan, Shanna and Kyle Calder;
nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Johnnie (Fay) Burghardt
of Lintlaw, Sask., Stan (Carol) of Aberdeen, Sask., and Kenny
Burghardt of St. Albert, Alta.; one sister, Mary Korczynski
of Hamilton, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 12, 2001 at 2 p.m. at
Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Father Eugene Whyte
O.M.I. officiating. Interment will take place later in Makinak, Man.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 Colour Party will provide their tribute.
Friends may visit with family at Green Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 from 7 until 9 p.m. Parish prayers will be offered at 7:30 p.m.
Honourary pallbearers will be Mike’s grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers in memoriam donations may be made to either
the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave.,
Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4, or the Kenora-Rainy River Lung
Association, Box 67, Kenora, Ont., P9N 3X4.