Lavern H. Burkhardt

October 2, 1942 - January 22, 2015

Lavern H. Burkhardt, 72, of Central City, died Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City with Reverend Kevin McReynolds officiating. Visitation will be Monday, January 26, from 5 to 7 P.M. at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Military honors will be performed at the church by American Legion Lone Tree Post #6 of Central City. The family requests everyone wear camouflage clothing to the funeral service. Burial will be at a later date in the Central City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Lone Tree Post #6, and the VFW of Clarks, Nebraska. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com. Vern was born on October 2, 1942 to Herman O. and Mae E. (Zlomke) Burkhardt in Howard County, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. He was raised on a farm in Eastern Howard County until his early teens. Vern attended District 93 in Howard County, District 36 in Merrick County, and Palmer High School. Vern joined the United States Marine Corps in October 9, 1961 serving between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was stationed in Boot camp in San Diego, CA, Camp Pendleton, CA, 29 Palms, CA and Okinawa, Japan. Vern served in Special Services Division. He was honorably discharged in October 14, 1967. Vern married Arla R. Badje on July 6, 1969 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island, NE. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the American Legion Lone Tree Post #6 since 1968, and Clarks VFW since 1975. Vern worked at the Coop Creamery in Fullerton in 1966. He then worked at the Grand Island Ordinance in 1967. He worked at Solt-Beyers Funeral Home and then at Atlantic Homes from 1973 to 2003. Vern retired as a custodian from Central City Public Schools in 2009 after working there for six years. Vern was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved to golf. He is survived by his wife- Arla Burkhardt of Central City, NE, a son - Lee Burkhardt and special friend Jennifer Patti of Crete, NE, one daughter – Shea and Roger Hedglin of Central City, NE, six grandchildren – Libby, Kelly, Levi, Ross, Evie, and Kloe; three great granddaughters – Kylen, Avery, and Brynleigh; five sisters- Gladys and (Charles) Lawrence of Vallejo, CA; Betty and (Dick) Wetjen of Columbus, NE; Karen and (Ed) Smith of Wellsville, KS; Shirley Kosch of Central City, NE; and Nancy Allen of Reno, NV, and two sisters in law – Leola Burkhardt of Palmer, NE; and Lorene Burkhardt of Central City, NE. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers – Jerry and Mel Burkhardt, and an infant daughter – Kjersti Jo.