Lea Burggraff

Lea Marie Burggraff passed away peacefully on May 24, 2021 at the age of 90 in an assisted living facility in New Brighton, MN.  Lea was born April 5, 1931 in Pierz, MN. The first-born child of Hubert and Bernadine (Tembruell) Faust she attended schools in the nearby area before graduating as a class Valedictorian from St. Francis High School in Little Falls MN.

Lea was the loving wife of James (Jim) Burggraff who she wed on October 26, 1949. Together they resided in the Mounds View and New Brighton area for 70 years. Lea’s full-time job was raising the seven children, until the youngest went off to school. She started part-time employment as a long load trucking escort for a trucking company. This was exciting and interesting work which she loved. For years prior to retirement, she was a sales associate at the Sears Surplus store.

Lea stayed busy keeping up the home in Mounds View and the lake cabin in Pierz. She belonged to a long-running ladies whist card club for 50 years and was also involved in the Christian Women’s Club at St. John the Baptist church.  She volunteered her time where she distributed communion to local nursing home/assisted living facilities.  Lea enjoyed her travels with Jim to various places around the country and overseas.  Having a sister next door and being close to her childhood home farm, made Lea’s summer months memorable at the Pierz Fish Lake cabin.  Most of all, she looked forward to her winter months in St. Pete’s Beach in Florida.

Preceded in death by her husband James of 72 years; brothers, Maurice and Hubert (Bert), infant grandchild Dillon Sand and infant great-grandchild Faith Boser.  Survived by her children,  Christine Emerson, Kevin Burggraff, Mary Beth Pallo, Pam Weisz, Nancy (Neil) Sand, Paul (Lindy) Burggraff and Jayme (Paul) D’Heilly and 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.  Brothers Gilbert, Alcuin (Bumpy); sisters Eileen Radziej, Monica Kelzenberg and sister-in-law Margaret Faust.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday - May 28th. 10 AM with visitation one hour prior at St. Joseph's Church, Pierz, MN.  Interment St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to donor's choice.

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