Charles (Chuck) Burkhardt, age 77 of Jefferson, Iowa, died Monday, November 9, 2020. Chuck was born January 20, 1943 in Guthrie Center, Iowa to Kenneth and Ruth (Badger) Burkhardt. Chuck grew up on a family farm outside of Bagley and graduated from Bagley High School in 1961. Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Burns, on July 2, 1961 in Bagley, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: Karon, Randy, Dan and Rich.
Chuck worked as a mechanic for several different companies (Gilliland Inc., DOT and Harrison Ford) before opening his own mechanic shop in 1975 in Jefferson, where he mentored many young men. His hobbies and his work were one in the same. He loved to go snowmobiling, do truck pulls and drag racing. Through the years Chuck built many winning race engines for several local racers. He built the engine for the 1987 IMCA modified Winter Series Champion in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The love of racing took Chuck and Bonnie to Daytona to attend Speed week for many years. They were also avid snowbirds and loved to spend time in the Florida Keys and spent many summer trips with family to the Black Hills.
Survivors include his sons: Randy (Julie) Burkhardt of Bagley, IA; Dan (Robbie) Burkhardt of Jefferson, IA; and Rich Burkhardt of Jefferson, IA; one brother, Jerry (Nancy) Burkhardt of Bagley, IA; one sister, Kay (Bill) Eich of Elston, IA; two brothers-in-law: Tim (Janelle) Burns of Fort Worth, Texas and Tom Burns of Sgt. Bluff, IA; sisters-in-law: Barbara Edwards of Council Bluffs, IA, Kathy (Ralph) Batton of Indiana; Chris (Cam) Sutherland of Yale, IA; and Kim (Jeff) Bauer of Bagley IA. Chuck is also proud grandfather to seven grandkids: Tyler (Diana) Ireland, Nate Ireland, Taylor (Sarah) Burkhardt, Hailey Burkhardt, Rachel (Noah) Winkelman, Hannah (Seth) Karber, and Bryce (Jenna) Burkhardt; thirteen great grandkids: Dyllon, Kennedy, Nixon, Ember and Aubry Ireland, Ella Burkhardt, Zoey, Ezra, Rowan and Adeline Winkelman, Melanie, Maisie and Micah Karber, and many nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Karon; parents: Kenneth and Ruth Burkhardt; and nephew, Derek Burkhardt.
