Bernard Burger, 96, of Columbia passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Columbia. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:30am, Monday, April 1, 2024 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 903 Bernadette Drive Columbia, MO 65203 with burial and Military Honors to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30am, Monday at the Church and visitation will follow from 10-11:30am.
Bernard was born June 5, 1927 in Billings, MO to Ernest and Theresa Schatz Burger. In 1944 he graduated from Billings High School and joined the US Navy at the age of 18. He was stationed in San Diego and served until 1947. On May 20, 1950, he married Catherine Roetto at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO. He began a long and successful career in insurance sales with Metropolitan Life. After retiring, he started a second career in property management. He loved traveling and long drives through the countryside, MU sports and the St. Louis Cardinals, enjoyed gardening and proudly maintained his own lawn well into his 90’s. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and impressed them with his remarkable ability of easily finding four-leaf clovers. Two years ago he moved to Lenoir Senior Community where he loved making new friends, daily workouts in the gym and the social activities. While typically a soft spoken gentleman, his grin when he looked out the corner of his eye and smiled from ear to ear would light up a room.
He is survived by six children, Theresa (Gary) Harvey, Marilyn (Wayne) Soucie, Jim (Karen) Burger all of Columbia, Carol (Jeff) Jackson of Vanceboro, NC, Nancy Knight of Manchester, MO, and Joyce (David) Stepanek of Columbia; fifteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a loving extended family.
He was preceded in death, after 60 years of marriage, by his beloved wife Catherine. Bernard was also preceded in death by twin daughters; Diana & Donna Burger, brothers; Albert and Floyd Burger; a sister, Leona Burger; son-in-law, Scott Knight, and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Inter-parish School or Father Tolton High School.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
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