Marianne "Mick, Mrs. B." Burkhart

Marianne "Mick, Mrs. B." Burkhart

Cleverdale, NY - It is with sad hearts that the children of Marianne (Mick, Mrs. B.) Burkhart wish to let you know of her passing. Born in Breslau just before the onset of World War II, Marianne was the daughter of Charlotte Guterman (Brixx) and Max Hartel. We grew up listening to her stories of this time, from the moment her Oma took her to the rooftop to see the glow of the burning city telling her, "It's time to go", to fields of landmines, near-starvation, and narrowly escaped being placed on a train bound for a concentration camp. Their walk across Germany was halted, though, when she contracted diphtheria and her mom turned back; carrying her through foreign troops, to a hospital they had recently passed. Given no chance by the doctor there, who said that giving her medicine would be a waste, and lying above the coffin her mother was told she would need, she gave the first hint of her personal strength by pulling through, waking up, and asking for sugar. Not all of her stories were bleak, though. Mom also told of eating a barrel of sauerkraut she found in a barn where a farmer had given them a place to sleep, of watching Cossacks dance, shirtless, under the moon in the hospital courtyard, and of the small kindnesses from people whose help meant she and her mom would have a bit to eat or a break from walking.

Though her father came back from the war, he did not come back to his family, but again this became a blessing. Her mother met and married Abraham Guterman, a kind and loving man who mom eventually came to consider her true father. If she needed a coat, he found green army blankets and had them dyed blue and made into a coat that she adored. For money he ran a black market, giving mom some of her best "adventure" stories, including riding around in the park with American money and cigarettes until her mother came to get her, and hanging onto a half of cow under a tarp on the back of a truck so it could be hung and sold out of the backyard gazebo.

The family eventually settled in Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany and this is where mom was the happiest. Her brother John was born and she met two special friends, sisters named Evi and Brigitte who helped her navigate her new school and home. Mom's family eventually opened a restaurant, The Krampus Stuberl, which was a favorite of American soldiers stationed nearby and a source of other great stories about an exploding coffee maker, a very special love named Klaus Trede, and finding her shoes in the sink after one evening's festivities.

In 1957, mom and her family immigrated to New York City where she taught herself English by watching television and reading comic books. When she was confident enough she obtained a library card to the NY Public Library and checked out the thickest book she could find, War and Peace. She was a lifelong reader and a whiz at Trivial Pursuit. At the same time, she was learning English she also had to learn to navigate the subway system, a source of other stories, and help her and her father find jobs. Always happiest when working, she found herself a position as a "thread runner" at the Pappagallo shoe factory. She loved her work, and was deeply valued there, but a vacation to Lake George changed her life - it was there she lost a bet that cost her a bottle of vodka when she came back to the city engaged to our dad, Vernon. They married in 1960, raised we three children and lived a, mostly, quiet life.

Finally, mom found great joy in working at the Cleverdale Store for Peter and Cheryl as well as helping care for Heath and Mackenzie, and there was always a very special place in her heart for "little" Mike Grasso

Marianne was predeceased by her husband, Vernon, her mother, Charlotte, her beloved "Papa", Abraham, her brother, John and her father, Max.

She is survived by her children: Edward (Carol) Burkhart, Barbara (Scott) Reed and Carol (Rick) Hill.

Carol and Barbara would like to give very special thanks to Patty, Renee, Brandon, Alita and Courtney from High Peaks Hospice for your help and support, to Danny for all you continued to do for mom and to Robert who was a friend when mom's empty nest was very hard for her.

Lastly, Carol and I thank our employers, Arrow Bank and Isovolta, for allowing us the flexibility to take care of our Mom. Words cannot express our gratitude for making us feel more than mere employees.

Mom's services will be private and, in lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the North Queensbury Fire Company, the North Queensbury Rescue Squad - who showed up en masse whenever we called for help – High Peaks Hospice or a charity of your choice.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, our mom said simply, "That I was a good Mommy". You were Mom, and much more.

Arrangements are under the care of the Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home and those who wish may make online condolences at our website sbfuneralhome.com