Charles "Charlie" Burggraff

Charlie was born August 3, 1924 in North Prairie, MN to the late Justus ‘Butch’ and Barbara Burggraff. He grew up and attended country school in North Prairie, MN. Charlie then worked road construction for a few years, then went to agriculture and welding school. He was united in marriage to Agnes Prokott on October 18, 1949 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus, MN. The couple diary farmed and raised hogs in Two Rivers Township, East of Bowlus. Charlie was recognized as one of the top 10 hog producers in the 1960’s. He was a volunteer Morrison County Deputy from 1964-68. His beloved wife Agnes passed away on November 25, 1970. Charlie married Lorraine Blonigen on December 29, 1972 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN. The couple continued to farm until retiring in 1984 to Royalton, MN. Following his retirement from farming, Charlie drove school bus for the Royalton school district for ten years. His wife, Lorraine passed away on April 23, 1991. Charlie was united in marriage to Catherine M. Leither on September 10, 1993 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN. The couple resided in Royalton until moving to Waite Park in 2008. Charlie loved to dance. That was how he met all of his wives while polka dancing and waltzing. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, 4-wheeling and deer hunting. Charlie was a ’crack’ shot and taught most of his family how to shoot. In his retirement years, he became a excellent wood worker. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton until moving to Waite Park and also a member of the St. Cloud Eagles. Charlie died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Charlie A. Burggraff is survived by his wife, Catherine; sons, Bob (Rose) Burggraff of Clearwater, MN; Wayne (Marilyn) Burggraff of Pierz, MN and David (Susan) Burggraff of Sartell, MN; daughters, Janet Kiley of Kalamazoo, MI; Linda (Jim) Justin of St. Stephen, MN; Debra Burggraff of Little Falls, MN and Rebecca (Duane) Klisch of Royalton, MN; brothers, Adrian (Phylis) Burggraff of CA; Justus (Bev) Burggraff of Minneapolis, MN and William ‘Bill’ (Jackie) Burggraff of New London, MN; sister, Marguerite (Jerry) Lamb of Mammoth, IL; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Charlie is also survived by his Blonigen family of Fred (Julie) Blonigen; Mark (Jean) Blonigen; Beverly Nett; Jean (Mike) Warren; Diane (Jim) Stadelman; Connie (Tom) Jopp and Michelle (Ross) Kirgiss and the Leither family of Helen (John) Meade; LeRoy Leither; Leon (Mary) Leither and John Leither. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Agnes; wife, Lorraine; son, Jerome Burggraff; sister, Bernadette Borman; brothers, Joe and Ted Burggraff; grandson, Michael Leither and a step-son, Alvin Leither.

Tributes

Charles "Charlie" Burggraff

August 3, 1924 - April 22, 2009