October 10, 1941 ~ March 9, 2021
PUBLIC VIEWING DETAILS
Thursday, March 11, 2021
2:00 – 8:00 PM
Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Inc.
Harlan, IA
(get directions)
CDC guidelines will be observed and masks are required.
A PRIVATE GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE
SURVIVORS
Wife – Beverly Burmeister of Harlan, IA
1 Son – Seth (Kimberly) Burmeister of Omaha, NE
2 Grandsons – Tate Burmeister of Omaha, NE
Tanner Burmeister of Omaha, NE
Other Relatives & Friends
Jon Jay Burmeister, the middle child of triplets, was born to Harry Thede and Mena Marie (Thogerson) Burmeister on October 10, 1941, at the family home located south of Harlan, Iowa. He attended Harlan Public Schools, and graduated with the Class of 1960. Jon continued his education at the University of Minnesota, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science in 1964.
On June 6, 1965, Jon married Beverly Ann Medsker at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. From 1966-68, he served in the United States Army at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was the NCO in charge of the post Mortuary Office. Upon completing his service, he returned to Harlan where he built and opened Burmeister Funeral Home in 1969. He operated the business until March 1, 1992, when he sold the firm to Seth and Kay Johannsen. Following the sale, he continued working services and meeting families until his 2019 retirement, when he completed 50 years of providing compassionate and caring service to Harlan and the surrounding area.
Jon was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. He was a longtime blood donor, having donated 24 gallons over the years. Jon repaired clocks of all kinds for over 50 years, and had a knack for knowing how to make a timepiece “tick”. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies; fishing, gardening, woodworking, making wine, restoring his 1930 Ford Model A pickup, and attending Harlan Cyclone sporting events filled his time.
Jon J. Burmeister died on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Hansen House in Harlan, Iowa. He had reached the age of 79 years, 4 months, and 27 days.
Jon is survived by his wife of 55 years, Beverly Burmeister of Harlan, Iowa; one son, Seth (Kimberly) Burmeister of Omaha, Nebraska; two grandsons, Tate Burmeister and Tanner Burmeister, both of Omaha, Nebraska; and other relatives and friends.
Public viewing was held on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. A Private Graveside Service will be held at a later date in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, Iowa. Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Inc., of Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.
My condolences to Jon’s family. Jon was always kind and thoughtful. He was so good at fixing my clocks and a wonderful neighbor. I will miss him.
My sincere sympathy and prays go to all the family of Jon. Sherry Reid, Classmate
My condolences to the family and to all who claimed Jon as a friend. I, too, road the school bus with Jon and the other Burmeister children. We lived less than two miles from each other on farms south of Harlan. More than once my father would stop at the Burmeister farm and as kids we had the chance to play and talk with each other. About a year after we were first married, we lived in the same apartment building as Jon and Bev. Jon and I were both drafted into the US Army on the same day and road the train from Omaha, NE to El Paso, TX, After getting out of the Army when Jon was building the funeral home, we got together often. Over the years our path took Claudia and me away from Harlan, but we maintained our friendship over those years and would often meet at our home in Des Moines or a Hotel in Omaha where we would gather with other mutual friends, Dean and Carolyn Schmid. What great times we had playing cards and visiting with each other. Eventually Claudia and I moved to California but we stayed in touch and when we got back to Harlan, we would always get together with Jon and Bev and Dean and Carolyn. One time the whole gang came to California for a get-together at our home. Bev was our son Scott’s first grade teach adding to that longtime connection with Jon and Bev. When Jon first started working on the old clocks we both did it together in the basement of the funeral home. At the time we lived across the yard from Jon and Bev. Jon will be missed and I am so blessed to have known Jon and call him Friend.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Many memories of riding the bus to school with Jon and the other Burmeister children. Harlan was a good place in which to grow up.
Jon was one of the first people I met when we moved to Harlan. He and I became to be great friends, he was always great to be around, and he was a man of many talents, from wood working to clocks to history and so much more. He introduced me to many service clubs and many other people and was always there to help so many people with most everything. I spent many hours in his shop with him and I miss him dearly as my close friend. Heaven is lucky to have him as so many here will miss him sorely. God bless Bev and Seth, Kim, Tate and Tanner as you and all friends who knew Jon remember him fondly.
Gordon & Kathy von Ahsen family