Richard Joseph Burmeister

Richard Joseph Burmeister, age 80, of Belle Plaine, MN passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be from 4-7p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Thursday morning. Interment will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery followed by lunch in the church social hall.

Richard was born March 24, 1944 to John and Clotilda (Boeckman) Burmeister in Shakopee, Minnesota. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1962 and began working at Midland Glass (later known as Anchor Glass Container). Richard met Suzanne Paquin at the wedding of Marlin and Lona Baillargeon and was immediately smitten! Richard and Suzanne were married June 13, 1964 at St. Ann’s Church in Turtle Lake, WI. After the birth of their three children, they settled down in Blakeley, Minnesota (he always called it God’s Country) where they raised their family. Richard worked for Anchor Glass Container for more than 47 years until his retirement. Richard was a lifelong avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, morel mushroom- hunting, and vegetable gardening (often sharing the garden bounty with family and friends). He was a talented woodworker creating beautiful furniture from lumber harvested from trees he cut and processed into boards. He enjoyed his weekly card game playing SKAT with “the guys”. He had a great love for Suzanne, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family.

He is survived by the heartbroken; including son Joseph (Tricia) Burmeister, daughter Gina (Brett) Carlson, son Michael (Allison) Burmeister, grandchildren Brooks (Alisha) Burmeister, Heather (Eric) Siegel, Hannah Burmeister and special friend Jack Norlen, great-grandchildren Maxen and Elliana Burmeister and great grandchild Soleil, his brother Dennis (Helen) Burmeister and sisters Ann (Dale) Hoehne and Laura (Tom) Kinning, sisters-in-law Dianne Burmeister, Joann Rupp, Julie (Nick) Roberts and Meg (Daryl) Lemme, brothers-in-law Jack Paquin, Tony Paquin and Peter Paquin; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by the love of his life, Suzanne, in August of 2022, after having been given the incredible gift of more than 58 years together. In addition to Suzanne, he was preceded in death by his parents John and Clotilda Burmeister, father-in-law Joseph Paquin and mother-in-law Margaret Paquin; brother John Burmeister and brothers-in-law Frank Paquin, Bernie Paquin and Philip Laval.

He will be missed and forever-loved by all who knew him. The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.