Gerald Burgtorf

Gerald August Burgtorf, age 76, of Fowler, MI, passed away suddenly Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems (ER) due to a terrible accident.

Gerald was born in Ionia County, MI on June 4, 1944, the son of William August Burgtorf and Nellie (Sherman) Kellogg. After high school, 1962, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Washington State aboard the USS Wright. After returning home he had learned his life long skill of a master welder, fabricator and maintenance man. Back home he had a small farm next to his dad's property. He raised corn and pigs. In the summers, Gerald and his kids showed pigs for 4-H at the Ionia County Free Fair. He also worked very long hours at Federal Mogul Corporation in St. Johns for almost 30 years. He was always there to help people in need, friends, neighbors and even strangers.

Gerald came to the Fowler area when he married Carol (Kloeckner) Baese on May 6, 1994, in St. Johns, MI. They resided south of Fowler on the corner of Wright Rd. and Dexter Trail, just past the Fowler Conservation Club. After coming to Fowler he never missed a beat helping people. Gerald was always busy, building large smokers (furnace size) for the Hengesbach's Meat Market in Westphalia. Gerald worked with many projects; some special ones were with his friend (Bill VanElls) at Bill's farm. He also made trailers for all 3 of his children and their spouses. Jerry loved time spent on family property in Cheboygan.

From pulling people out of ditches or fixing cars, trucks, flat tires, etc. He enjoyed all of it. He loved Sunday afternoons waiting for the races to be on with friend Phil P. and other NASCAR fans, cards, eating quick food, laughing, telling stories, jokes and just being happy with his family and especially his friends. He enjoyed playing cards and drinking coffee at the VFW in the morning (he also served as treasurer at the VFW for several years.) He attended many military funerals and VFW activities. Gerald also helped fix many things for the Fowler Conservation Club.

It was very important to Jerry to spend time with his step children and step grandchildren. He liked playing all kinds of crazy games, cards (Skip-Bo), rides on his green machine, and doing wacky sport things. He also would take them to school in the morning; help take them to practices and to games where he would watch them play. They would be there for Jerry and he would try to be there when they needed him, to show love and support together as a family.

Gerald is survived by his wife Carol (Kloeckner) Burgtorf, his children: Audra (Brian) Gorby, Tanya (Jason) Denyes, Darren (Nicole) Burgtorf, grandchildren: Blake (Kara) Gorby, Zane (Siara) Gorby, Morgan, Gavin, and Skylar Deyes, and Teagan Burgtorf.  He is also survived by step children: Brent Baese of Portage, Jill Baese Ruiz and fiancé Tony Taul of Fowler, step grandchildren: Jonathan and Amber Ruiz, Landon Baese, and Tanner Taul, half sisters Pam Chubb and Vicki Kellogg of St. Johns.  He was preceded in death by his parents, children William and Andrea Burgtorf (twins), brother Robert Burgtorf and sister Patricia Mull, step father James Kellogg and step mother Lillian Burgtorf.

Per his wishes cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Some of his ashes will be buried at place Woodard Lake Cemetery, Ionia County, MI by his father and twin children's graves. The remainder of ashes will be scattered at a Naval Base Harbor in the state of Washington by his nephew Brian (Charles Burgtorf) sometime in 2021.

Donations made in Gerald's honor can be designated to:  E.J. Werner VFW Post 3733, 126 South Maple Street, PO Box 52 Fowler, MI 48835 or the Fowler Conservation Club, 3580 S. Wright Rd, PO Box 262, Fowler, MI 48835 or to the Fowler Fire Department and Rescue Service, 225 S. Main Street, Fowler, MI 48835. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.