Gary Burggraff

Gary W. Burggraff, 69, of Moorhead, MN, died Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Eventide's Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND. Gary was born at Royalton, MN, on August 14, 1940, to Herbert and Lucille (McLeod) Burggraff. He spent his first years on the family farm and attended country school until the family moved to Little Falls, MN, where he graduated from Little Falls High School in 1959. Gary attended Staples Vocational School, earning a diploma in Drafting, and then went to work for Fabri-Tek in Amery, WI, and later Edina, MN. He served in the National Guard from October 1962 - August 1968. Gary attended Normandale State College in Bloomington, MN, in 1968-69 and transferred to Moorhead State University in 1969. He graduated from MSU in 1972 with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Education and received his Master's degree from MSU in May 1985. Vocational Education was very important to Gary both as a student and as an instructor. He was instrumental in setting up the Drafting program at Moorhead Technical College and served there as instructor for 29 years and as department chair for many of those years, retiring in 2001. Gary married Emily Henning in July 1967. They lived in Bloomington, MN, until September 1969, when they moved to Moorhead, MN. Gary and Emily have two sons, Eric and Jason. Gary loved planning projects, working with his hands, and anything that moved with wheels, wings, or hulls. He earned his private pilot's license, rebuilt airplanes that he later flew, and attended many EAA Osh Kosh fly-ins. Gary was interested in boats of all kinds and in being on the water. He enjoyed skiing with his family and lake time at Little Pelican. As a motorcyclist, he rode around Lake Superior on the Wolf's Head Motorcyclel Tour and in 2004, rode to Alaska and back. In 2009, while continuing chemotherapy, Gary and two friends rebuilt a 1967 Triumph Tiger Cub motorcycle. Gary was active in Experimental Aircraft Association (Chapter 317), Minnesota Vocational Association, Minnesota State Community and Technical College Foundation Board and also at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. Gary is survived by his wife, Emily of Moorhead, MN, son, Eric (Allison Hammer) of Fargo, ND, son, Reverend Jason Burggraff of Sioux Falls, SD, sister, Lynn of Anoka, MN, mother-in-law, Irene Henning of Moorhead, MN, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Chuck and Marie Swanson of Moorhead, MN, brother-in-law, Ralph of Bismarck, ND, sister-in-law, Virginia Henning of Bismarck, ND, nieces, Thayne Cromwell and Greta Swanson and nephews, Chad Swanson, Jonathan Henning, and Mark Henning plus many cousins and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lucille Burggraff, his father-in-law, Paul Henning, and his brother-in-law, N. John Cromwell. Many aunts and uncles also preceded him in death. Gary was grateful for family, for many friends, and for the opportunities he was given to enjoy a full life. The family would like to express their gratitude to Roger Maris Cancer Center, Meritcare 7th Floor Nursing Staff, Eventide's Sheyenne Crossings and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate care and kindnesses to Gary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Lutheran Parish Nurse Program, Minnesota State Community and Technical College Foundation (Gary Burggraff scholarship) or the Fargo Air Museum. Funeral: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 2:00 PM at Fist Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Monday, June 28, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.