Norman "Norm" E. Burgdorf

Norman "Norm" E. Burgdorf, 85, of Limestone Township, passed away on Tuesday (Oct. 13, 2015) at his home. He was born on Jan. 6, 1930, in Mitchell, S.D., the son of the Rev. Erwin Burgdorf and Louise (Moser) Burgdorf. He was baptized in Woonsocket, S.D. The oldest of four, Norm graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles. He attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. He was assigned to Company B 2nd Engineer Battalion during the Korean War. He served in the Korean War from 1951-1953 with the ranking of Tech Sergeant in the U.S. Army. He received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a member of the Bourbonnais VFW chapter. After his military service, Norm moved to Kankakee, working as a truck driver. He spent most of his career at Rudolf Express Trucking Company for more than 30 years and was a member of Teamster Local 705. He met the love of his life, Suzanne Daylor, and was married Oct. 22, 1960, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bradley, where he served on many boards and committees, sang in the senior choir, and served as an assistant minister until his passing. His deep love for horses began more than 50 years ago, raising registered quarter horses and training them in reining. Norm was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and The Reining Horse Association. During his retirement years, Norm enjoyed watching sports including his grandchildren's teams, his beloved Cubbies, and the Chicago Bears. Each year, he looked forward to helping with the fall harvest on his daughter and son-in-law's farm. Norm also enjoyed reading and spending quality time with his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, his daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Keith Yohnka and Susan Burgdorf-Miller and Jon Miller; his grandchildren, Laura Yohnka, Tim Yohnka, and Tim's fiancée, Kaliegh Wheeler. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Lennie and Bill Serstad, Carey and Alan Morrisson, and Rhoda Olson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Christine Jarvis, Jill and Bob Kamphoff and Avril and Bob Newsom; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until the 11 a.m. funeral service at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bradley, with the Rev. Patty Heath officiating. Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at 10 a.m. on Monday. The procession to the cemetery will leave Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be may to Our Savior Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church (www.oursaviorlutheran.info) or American Heart Association (www.heart.org).

Norman "Norm" E. Burgdorf

January 6, 1930 - October 13, 2015