Herman Burggraf

Herman Burggraf, age 84, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Thursday, September 26th, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1st, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston with Father JohnMelkies Suvakeen presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday, September 30th, and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. All visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com. Herman's story began on October 21, 1934 in Mahnomen, Minnesota, the sixth of eight children born to Otto and Eleanor Burggraf. He attended Burggraf's Country School, Newman's Country School, Mahnomen Elementary and High School, and St. Michael's Catholic School. Herman spent most of his early years on the family farm, spoiled by five older sisters. Although he disliked cleaning the chicken coop or milking cows by hand, he loved everything else about farm life especially horses; a fondness he shared with his father. As early as age six, he had a buckskin pony named Dolly that he loved to ride around the homestead. He was a natural horseman. Herman talked about evenings on the farm that were spent playing cards with his older sisters and father while his mother sewed. Now we know why he was so good at cards, he started early and had lots of practice.Herman was united in marriage to the love of his life, Grace Joy Hendrickson, on July 16, 1955 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey, CA. To this union six children were born. Herman and Grace lived in California while he worked at Sears. In 1960, they decided to move back to their home state of Minnesota. They briefly lived in Dassel, Columbia Heights, North Minneapolis, and finally in 1970 bought a hardware store from Frances Hanson in Fosston, MN. In 1977, he built the new store on Hwy 2 across from the high school. He served on the United Hardware Advisory Board for many years. All six of his children worked at the hardware store and learned the ropes from their dad. Herman ran the store until his retirement on January 1st, 1994, when he sold his business to his three sons.Herman and Grace enjoyed the last 22 winters in Arizona and spent many afternoons and evenings playing cards with family and friends. He also enjoyed his time on the computer working on the stock market. Herman often told his children back in MN that he and Grace would eat most of their meals outside, and there were no bugs! Even though they enjoyed winters in Arizona, Herman was always excited to get back to his home in rural Minnesota. Herman was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for 48 years.Herman passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019, surrounded by his loved ones, at his home in rural Fosston. Survivors include his wife, Grace, and six children, Craig (wife, Susie) Burggraf of Grand Rapids, MN, Mark (wife, Jill) Burggraf of Fosston, MN, Cynthia (husband, Mark) Storhaug of Alexandria, MN, Carrie (husband, Brian) Pulczinski of White Bear Lake, MN, Camille (husband Marc) Resetar of Big Canoe, GA and Steven (wife, Amber) Burggraf of Grand Rapids, MN; 14 grandchildren, Sean (Crystal), Christina, Eric, David (Brook), Lindsey (Justin), Brianna (Oscar), Kala (Patrick), Brian, Brett, Grace, Sydney, Lacey, Jack, and Mari; 7 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Claire, Camille, Callie, Grace, Eva, and Cora; four siblings, JoAnn (husband, LuVern) Grimsrud of Sun City, AZ, MaryAnn Herko of Rolling Hills Estate, CA, Becky (husband, Jim) Eckel of Tucson, AZ, and Bob (Masako) Burggraf of Orange, CA. He also leaves a wonderful large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Eleanor Burggraf; sisters, Virginia, and husband Lee Glasel, Vivian, and husband Bill Fitterer, Delores, and husband Clarence Luckow; and brother-in-law, Joe Herko.Blessed be the memory of Herman Joseph Burggraf.The family of Herman request that memorials be designated directly to any of the following charities:MCCL (Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life)St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston, MNCaring Fore Kids Charity Classic- Grand Rapids, MNWounded Warriors Project

Visitation

Monday, September 30, 2019 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
St. Mary's Catholic Church
725 6th St. NE Fosston 56542, United States