Burdette Hurley

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Funeral services for 85 year old Burdette Hurley will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Mallard, Iowa.

Visitation will be from noon until the beginning of the service.

Interment is at Rush Lake Cemetery in Curlew, Iowa.

Burdette Lawrence Hurley, son of Floyd and Zelda (Prentice) Hurley, was born November 28, 1938 in Palo Alto County, Iowa.  He received his education in the Mallard school system, graduating from Mallard High School.  At the age of eighteen Burdette’s father passed away and Burdette took over the farming, raising livestock as well as doing grain farming.  Burdette became a very progressive farmer, breeding quality cattle and was always willing to try new innovations in the field of farming. 

On July 8, 1972 Burdette was united in marriage to Viola Mae Nissen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa.  They were blessed with a son, L.B and a daughter, Amy.

Burdette loved farming and was a true steward of the land. He and his brother, Eldon farmed together for many years until Eldon’s retirement.  Burdette and his son, L.B. then began farming together. 

Burdette was a member of countless farm organizations and when the markets and farm reports came on KICD radio, everything else in the house was to be quiet.  When he wasn’t farming he enjoyed going fishing or doing woodworking.  Burdette and Viola both enjoyed roller skating and first met each other while skating.  They also liked bowling and played on various leagues.  A highlight in Burdette’s life was building a race car with Denny Hovinga and watching Denny race it at area tracks.  Burdette was always ready for a game of cards with family or friends.  He played Pinochle, 500, Cribbage and Poker.  He taught all of his grandchildren how to play Poker and Burdette always made sure there was some money involved in the games.

Burdette was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mallard and served for many years on the Mallard School Board.

Burdette passed away Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 85.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Zelda Hurley; his wife, Viola on November 28, 2020; a brother, Don Hurley; and sisters, Doris (Harold) Barnhardt and Leveta (Melvin) Barnhardt.

He is survived by  his children, L.B. (Jennifer) Hurley of Curlew, Iowa and Amy (Nick) Blaskey of Lakefield, Minnesota; six grandchildren, John Hurley, Olivia Blaskey (fiancé Zack Rasmussen), Emily Blaskey, Ben Hurley, Michael Blaskey and Oliver Hurley; brothers, Frank Hurley of Versalles, Missouri and Eldon (Carol) Hurley of Curlew, Iowa; a sister, Relda Lathrop of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Ann Hurley of Emmetsburg, Iowa; nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.