Theresa Burgard
May 26, 1929-Jan. 4, 2022
Theresa Burgard, the
daughter of Christian and
Anna (Miller) Mitzel, was
born on May 26th, 1929
on the family farm near
Orrin, North Dakota and
was the 3rd child of 15.
She died at the age of 92
years on Tuesday, January
4, 2022 at the Souris Val-
ley Care Center in Velva,
North Dakota.
Theresa grew up on the
family farm helping out
with the daily chores.
She attended school at the
Sandale School #3 finish-
ing the 8th grade. On June
6th, 1949, she was united
in marriage to Emil Bur-
gard at the Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Orrin,
North Dakota. The couple
made their home and
farmed on the family farm
near Esmond, North
Dakota. Together, they
raised their 14 children.
She was a hard working
lady, working alongside
Emil, from milking cows,
working in the field,
stacking hay, feeding the
cows, hogs, chickens, oh
all those chickens we had
to butcher. Along with
raising her family and
working on the farm, she
always had two big gar-
dens, producing much of
the families food supply,
canning and freezing
vegetables. She was proud
of some of the oddest
vegetables she grew, tak-
ing them into the Pierce
County Tribune. She was
constantly cooking, bak-
ing, cleaning and butcher-
ing hogs every fall to
make sausage. Theresa
also took care of all the
farm records. She kept a
record of weather condi-
tions over the years as did
a few of her sisters.
Theresa was very proud
of being a candidate for
the Mrs. North Dakota
competition in Devils
Lake on June 17th, 1953.
She was a people person
and loved visiting and
playing pinochle, some-
times into the wee hours
of the morning. She later
moved to Rugby in 2014,
where she made many
new friends that became
like family. She was a
member of the Esmond
Senior Center, Christian
Mothers of the St. Boni-
face Catholic Church of
Esmond and in later
years, a member of the
Little Flower Catholic
Church of Rugby. There-
sa was a very dedicated
Christian, praying her
rosary every night. She
was a loving and caring
wife, mother, grand-
mother, great grandmoth-
er, aunt, sister,
mother-in-law and friend,
who led a long, admirable
life, who will be greatly
missed.
Theresa is survived by
her children, Larry of
Grand Forks, Lloyd
(Karen) of Grand Forks,
Deb (Russ) Jacobson of
Rugby, Randy (Mary) of
Anamoose, Ron of Rugby,
Rose Kitzman of Grand
Rapids, Minnesota, Joe
(Sharon) of Gwinner,
Frank (Sue) of Minot,
Emil (MaryLou) of Wheat-
land, Yvonne (Dave) Lar-
sen of Grand Forks, Jeff of
Phoenix, Arizona, Carol
Miller of Cape Coral,
Florida and Val Burgard
of Jamestown; 19
grandchildren; 21 great
grandchildren; 7 step
grandchildren; 19 step
great grandchildren;
siblings, Fran Weinand of
Long Beach, California;
Cecelia Bruner of Drake,
Opal Bachmeier of Fargo,
Joe (Carol) Mitzel of
Minot, Rita (Louie)
Schiele of Velva, Leo
(Judy) Mitzel of Graham,
Washington, Eddy
(Elaine) Mitzel of Arling-
ton, Washington, Gerald
(Bernie) Mitzel of Rugby
and Brad (Deb) Mitzel of
Elizabeth City, North
Carolina; many nieces,
nephews; other relatives
and friends. She was pre-
ceded in death by her
husband, Emil in 2000;
son, Timothy; sons-
in-law, Lawrence Kitzman
and Bryan Miller; one
step grandson, Dave Lar-
sen Jr; one step great
granddaughter, Everly
Mosbrucker; one step
great grandson, Asher
Mosbrucker; infant broth-
er, Clement; brothers,
Mike and Richard; sisters,
Rose Koble and Tillie
Schmaltz; and her
parents.
The Burgard family
wishes to express their
appreciation for all the
acts of kindness, prayers,
cards and attendance of
the services. God Bless
you all.
Mass of Christian
burial will be held on at
11:00 a.m. Saturday, Janu-
ary 15 at the Little Flower
Catholic Church in Rugby
with spring burial in the
church cemetery. Father
Franklin Miller, Cele-
brant.
Organist: Glenda Mack
Vocal leader/Cantor:
Marilyn Vetter and Sara
Selensky
Reader: Colette Hertz
Gift Bearers: Angie
Sandys, Emily Larsen,
Shannon Burgard and
Kaylee Upgren
Casket Bearers:
Theresa’s Sons, Larry,
Lloyd, Randy, Ron, Joe,
Frank, Emil Jr. and Jeff
Honorary Bearers: All
Family and Friends
The service will be
livestreamed and the link
can be found on the fun-
eral homes website at the
bottom of her obituary.
Arrangements with the
Anderson Funeral Home
of Rugby. Online registry:
www.funeralsby
anderson.com