Worthington, MN
Conrad “Connie” Burchill, age 83, died on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne, MN. He was born on September 22, 1929 in Harvey, ND to Herman and Harriet Burchill. Connie graduated from North Dakota State College with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and a Master’s in Education, Personnel Services from South Dakota State University. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Connie was married to Beverly Holm until her death. During those years he managed the Gambles Store in Brookings and then became Director of Personnel Services at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. He was united in marriage to Cecilia Wold (Moelter) on July 7, 1984. With their two sons, they moved to Piqua, OH, where Connie served as President of Edison State Community College for three years. In 1987, he served as President of Worthington Community College until his retirement in 1997, when he became a Real Estate Sales Associate.
He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington, MN. He served on the church council, was a lector and a Eucharistic Minister. Connie was an Eagle Scout and earned the Silver Beaver Award. He served on the Worthington Board of Education, was Chairman of the K.I.D.S. 2000 Plus School Referendum Committee, was a member of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce and Chairman and Trustee for the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. He was also a member of the Elks and Kiwanis.
Connie was committed to and believed everyone deserved an education. He loved camping, baseball, football, taking his dog (Jena) for walks. He was an amazing man; trustworthy, loyal, compassionate and generous.
Connie is survived by his wife, Cec of Worthington, MN; their five children and their families, Tom (Pam) Burchill of Fort Worth, TX, Mary (Jeff) Tyler of Maple Grove, MN, Scott Burchill of Detroit, MI, Jayson (Jelica) Wold of Minneapolis, MN, Michael Wold of Jackson, WY; grandchildren, Jordon Burchill, Jessica (Rob) Lokhorst, Chelsey (Jon) Altena, Michael Tyler and Ruby Wold and his sister, Sally Lysne of North Branch, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington, MN, with Father Jim Callahan, Father Luis Vargas, Father Cathal Gallagher and Deacon Vern Behrends officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 20, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic.
