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James Burdic Obituary
James Michael "Mike" Burdic
July 21, 1948 - January 24, 2022
James Michael "Mike" Burdic, 73, of Lincoln passed away January 24, 2022. Mike was born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 21, 1948. He attended Westside High School and the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and played football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Mike was a respected welding instructor at Southeast Community College, where he twice received the Wekesser Outstanding Teacher award.
When he was in his 20's, Mike learned to play blues harp harmonica from the best, including Charlie Musselwhite, and began lifelong friendships with many of Nebraska's favorite blues musicians. An avid bow-hunter and outdoorsman, he was also fond of flint knapping, sculpting, carving, drawing, soldering beads for jewelry, reading, and writing poetry. At the time of his death, he was working on Three Rails to Nowhere, a semi-autobiographical novel about his youthful adventures.
Survivors include his wife Donna, son Mingus, brothers Steve (Thelma) and Jeff (Stephanie), sister-in-law Nancy Sand (Ben), nieces and nephews Aaron, Amanda, Andrew, Andy, Elli, and Maija, special animal friend Max, and many other beloved relatives and friends. Preceded in death by parents Darlow and Dorothy and sister-in-law Dace.
A Celebration of Life will be held later this spring at Country Pines in Lincoln. Memorials to Oglala Lakota College, P.O. Box 537 Piya Wiconi Road Kyle, South Dakota 57752-0537, NAVA Native American Veterans Assistance, P.O. Box 5053 Pine Ridge, SD 57770 www.nativevets.org or to the family for future designation.
Memories and Condolences
for James Burdic
Bennie Cohen
February 17, 2022
Over the years, just the thought of Mike makes me smile. I remember fondly our antics at the Beta House in Lincoln and on the Westside High wrestling team where he made it clear that he was my protector. I was the fly weight and Mike the heavy weight, a champion of a pal with a warm heart and a helping hand.
Bill truhlsen
February 15, 2022
We send sympathy and prayers for your loss. Mike was a good man.
Kay Swanson Torrence
February 8, 2022
Oh Donna and Mingus not sure the words to say please remember the memories as those are gifts Big hugs from Minnesota
Tom Lonnquist
February 2, 2022
Mike was a year ahead of me in the Beta House. I kind, mischievous and engaging soul. I would love to read his incomplete writings.....Peace and happy memories to Donna and Mingus.
Would love to learn about his connection to the Oglala
Lakota Tribe....I worked with the Omaha Tribe after college.
Beannacht / Blessing
by
John O´Donohue
On the day whenthe weight deadenson your shouldersand you stumble,may the clay danceto balance you.
And when your eyesfreeze behindthe grey windowand the ghost of lossgets into you,may a flock of colours,indigo, red, greenand azure blue,come to awaken in youa meadow of delight.
When the canvas fraysin the vessel of thoughtand a stain of oceanblackens beneath you,may there come across the watersa path of yellow moonlightto bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,may the clarity of light be yours,may the fluency of the ocean be yours,may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slowwind work these wordsof love around you,an invisible cloakto mind your life.
How you can show support
Jose Soto and Peggy Olson
February 2, 2022
Donna/Mingus:
We were saddened to hear of Mike's passing. Our condolences to his family and many friends.
Kenny Meier
February 2, 2022
All my best to you Donna! And a big hug too!
Buck Crumb
January 31, 2022
Big Mike and Donna are the greatest people I have ever met. Thank you Big Mike.
Jane Purtzer
January 31, 2022
Mike was a one of a kind guy so loving so talented. Miss him
Robert Esquivel
January 30, 2022
It´s funny how people with larger than life personalities seem to always have been in your life. Before I actually became acquainted with Mike, it seems I knew him through his reputation and stories from friends. I´m so grateful to have had the opportunity to actually get to know him. He will be missed by so many who loved him.
Cactus
January 30, 2022
R.I.P., gentle giant.
Maria Miller Mazurek
January 30, 2022
Mike was one of a kind. Deepest condolences
flora l fitzgerald
January 30, 2022
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Kathleen Grossman
January 30, 2022
So deeply sorry for your loss. Mike sounds like a wonderful soul.
rich berney
January 27, 2022
Thank you, Mike...Rest in Peace.
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