Richard Burggraaff

Richard was born on September 27, 1915, to Leonard and Marie (Van Dyke) Burggraaff in Nieuwkoop, Netherlands. At the age of 12, Richard and his family immigrated to the United States where they settled in Sioux County, Iowa. From this age on, he worked as a farmhand for farmers in the area and his life-long love of farming began.

Eventually, Richard was united in marriage to Antonia Gertrude Vander Schaaf. Shortly after marriage, however, Richard was drafted into the army and served in the C Battery of the MARS Task Force in Burma and China during World War II. This team was the only pack mule infantry in the army and had the mission of capturing the Burma Road from the enemy. Much of the terrain was treacherous, mules fell down mountainsides, and the weather was highly variable, often wet from monsoons, making the mission quite difficult. After intense fighting with the enemy for several days, the men of the MARS Task Force gained control and were highly praised for helping to reopen the Ledo-Burma Road to China. Due to Richard’s hard work and excellent leadership skills, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, served as Battery Gun Section Chief, and was awarded the bronze star along with other medals. After the war, Richard returned home to begin his farming life with his wife.

Richard and his wife had five children. They farmed in Iowa until the early 1970s when they moved to Pipestone County and continued to establish their farming business. Richard found joy in working with animals and the soil and enjoyed learning about genetics in relation to agriculture and husbandry. He loved farming so much that he continued to farm into his early 90s. Among his daily activities, he took joy in viewing farmland and often drove his truck around the country looking at the crops. Richard was also a passionate reader and life-long learner.

Richard passed away peacefully on October 16, 2014, at the age of 99 years at the Good Samaritan Communities in Pipestone.

Richard is survived by his children, Ruth Bowman of Hutchinson, Minnesota and Calvin Burggraaff of Pipestone, Minnesota; his sister, Wilmina Oostenink of Sheldon, Iowa; long-time special friend, Mary Alderson of Johnston, Iowa; grandchildren, Barbara Bowman of Hutchinson and Daniel (Julia) Bowman of Seattle, Washington and Marc Demmer of Maple Grove, Minnesota; four great grandchildren: Hayden Bowman-Royce of Hutchinson, Chase Bowman, Piper Bowman and Rylee Bowman, all of Seattle, Washington; and many special nephews. He is preceded in death by his faithful wife, Antonia Gertrude Burggraaff; his son, Richard Burggraaff, Jr.; his daughter, Nelva Demmer; an infant son; grandchildren, Pam, Brandon, and Jodi Demmer; his brothers, Arie and John Burggraaff; and his sister, Effie Henning.