Gerald A. “Jerry” Burdiek, 81, of Seneca, KS, died Monday morning, October 26, 2009 at Crestview Manor Nursing & Residential Living in Seneca.

He was born on June 6, 1928, on a farm east of Seneca, the son of John F. and Clara Tanking Burdiek. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Seneca and worked on the family farm.

Jerry married Evelyn Broxterman on February 18, 1950 at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They resided at Bern for the first 3 years of their married life; before moving to Lillis, KS in 1953. They moved to Seneca in 1963; where the couple farmed, raised cattle and hogs and celebrated 59 years of marriage. In addition, Jerry worked for Farmers Elevator & Heinen Tru Value.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus #1769 in Seneca, and a former member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. He was also a past Board Member of USD #451. Jerry enjoyed playing cards, gardening, watching sports, spending time with his grandchildren and just being his ornery self.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Burdiek; his ten children, Nancy (Terry) Henson of Nortonville, KS, Karen (Larry) Osterhaus, Sheryl (Robert) Nordhus, Diane (Donald) Lueger and Duane (Lori) Burdiek, all of Seneca, Ronald (Joyce) Burdiek of Wetmore, Joyce (Larry) Russell of Topeka, Lynn (Jeanette) Burdiek of Emporia, Mary (Richard) Schoenfeld of Manhattan and Marcia (Alan) Gyhra of Burchard, NE; his siblings, Walter Burdiek of Centralia, Mildred Reinecke, Alice Kramer, Irene Kramer, and Marcina Haverkamp, all of Seneca; 35 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon Gyhra in 1995.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Tuesday, October 27, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville.

Memorials may be given in Jerry’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul School, or Sacred Heart Cemetery, or Crestview Manor, and sent in care of the family.