Burnerd Cuperus

Burnerd Cuperus, 83, Dumont, MN, died Saturday, August 2, 2014, at the United Living Community in Brookings, SD.
Funeral services were Saturday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, MN, with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Music was provided by organist Theresa Thiel.
Burial was in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Dumont.  Military honors were provided by the Jesse S. Poole American Legion Post 297 of Graceville, MN.
Visitation was Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church.
Burnerd, son of Jan and Grietje (Sytsma) Cuperus, was born on March 24, 1931, in Rost Township, Jackson County, Lakefield, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Rost Township, where he also attended parochial school. After completion of the eighth grade, he worked on the family farm, including managing it when his parents returned to Holland for six weeks in 1946.
Burnerd entered the United States Army on January 15, 1953, serving in the 519th Field Artillery Battalion in Germany until he was honorably discharged in December 29, 1954. He earned the Army of Occupation Medal Germany and the National Defense Service Medal. Burnerd was united in marriage to Janis Voehl at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lakefield on July 15, 1953.
After returning to Minnesota, he worked as a carpenter in Lakefield until they moved to the Dumont area in the fall of 1956 to begin farming. In addition to the field work, together they raised laying hens, pigs from farrowing to finishing, and cattle for many years. They retired in 1996, but continued to raise a large garden and butcher chickens which he enjoyed sharing with their friends and neighbors in the community. Janis died in May of 2011. Burnerd continued to live on the family farm until November 2013 when he made his home in Brookings.
Burnerd was a member of the Jesse S. Poole American Legion Post 297 of Graceville, St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont, where over the years he would serve as trustee, treasurer, and elder. He was currently a member of St. John Lutheran in Wheaton. Burnerd also served on the Parnell Town board for over 40 years as a supervisor, treasurer, and clerk. Burnerd also enjoyed having coffee and playing dice with his friends in Graceville. He and Janis also had a large extended group of friends in Dumont, Wheaton, Browns Valley and beyond.
Burnerd is survived by two sons, Steven (Susann) Cuperus of Bismarck, ND, and Alan (Becky) Cuperus of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Lorie Cuperus of Brookings, SD; two grandchildren, James Cuperus of Phoenix and Ashley Cuperus of Flagstaff, AZ; two sisters, Eva Schmidt of Windom, MN, and Effie Sytsma of Neillsville, WI; and one brother, Loren (Ethlyn) Cuperus of Lakefield, and several nieces and nephews.
Burnerd was preceded in death by his parents; wife Janis; a brother, Jacob; two sisters, Hilda Pasley and Edna Swenson; and one grandchild, Theresa Elizabeth Cuperus.