Thomas Peter Burgard was born on May 5, 1926 on a farm in Elling Township south of Orrin, North Dakota to Peter and Frances (Geisinger) Burgard.    He peacefully passed away Friday, April 6, 2018 at the age of 91 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Tom grew up on the family farm in rural Orrin and attended school in Orrin.  He continued farming, raising small grains, cattle and milked cows until his retirement in 1991.  Sharing in his daily life was his loving wife, Betty Senger who were united in marriage on June 23, 1953 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Orrin North Dakota. The couple was blessed with five children.  Tom and Betty retired into Rugby and lived in their home until moving to the Heart of America Care Center in 2016.  Tom enjoyed his time at the Care Center and loved the care he received.

Tom played amateur baseball for Orrin in his youth and was a big Minnesota Twins fan.  He also followed the NDSU Bison and the Green Bay Packer football teams.  He enjoyed fishing in his spare time and was an avid gardener in his retirement.  Playing pinochle and visiting with family and friends was a frequent event.  Tom taught many of his grandchildren how to play cards.

Tom was a 4^th degree Knights of Columbus member, a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, served on the Anamoose Fire District, the Orrin School Board and the Orrin Sacred Heart Parish Council.  In 1969, Tom and Betty were awarded the Pierce County Soil Conservation Award.  Tom continued helping his son on the family farm for many years after retirement.

His surviving family includes his wife, Betty of 64 years; children, Joe (Nancy) of Jamestown, Ken (Peggy) of Rugby, Doug (Sue) of Dickinson, Deb (Randy) Schneibel of Oxbow and Pete (Kim) of Orrin; 10 grandchildren, Angie (Jason) Jelinek; Andy (Jennifer) Burgard, Nathan (Michelle) Burgard, Michelle (Dave) Malchow, Ryan (Jessica) Schneibel, Jeremy (Kari) Burgard, Caleb (Candice) Burgard, Tyler Burgard, Travis Burgard and Mindy (Trent Johnson) Stier; 15 great grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Fettig, Barbara Wolf and Catherine (Lawrence) Lemer; sister-in-law: Lena Burgard; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceeded in death by his parents; a great grandson: Henry Burgard; brother: Mike Burgard; sisters, Julia (Mike) Thomas, Frances (Pete) Bachmeier, Tillie (Vern) Penzkover, Pauline (Edwin) Lithun, Mary (Joe) Schneider, Betty (Al) Morgan, Magdelina (Lester) Woitte and Vernie (Leo) Keller.

Memorials may be designated for the Orrin Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, HAMC Hospice or the charity of your choice.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with spring burial at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Orrin, North Dakota. Father Tom Graner, Celebrant.  Msgr. Father Joseph Senger, Concelebrant.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. with a rosary and vigil prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the funeral home from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  There will be no reviewal at the church.