VISTA, CA - Roger Eugene Burkardt, 82, of Vista, Calif., passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 1, 2021.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ellice Dinges School in Sublette from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m., on Nov 13, with Mass following at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 4 p.m.

The funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2021 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Oceanside with Rev. Christopher Merris, celebrant, and Deacon John Fredette who gave the homily. The Mass was well attended by family, friends, and fellow parishioners. Special recognition was given by the Knights of Columbus. Inurnment burial was at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, Calif., with Sister Maureen Brown presiding.

Roger was born Sept. 9, 1938 in West Brooklyn, to Arthur D. and Dorothy C. (Lipps) Burkardt. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; daughters, Angie (Mike) Hanifin, of Vista, Calif.; Julie (Bob) Krier, of Escondido, Calif.; Toni (Bob) Crain, of San Marcos, Calif.; first wife, Karen Barlow, of San Marcos, Calif.; daughters, Jan (Jack) Ashby, of Escondido, Calif.; Nanci (Mike) Holato, of Green Valley, Ariz.; and son, Matt (Sharman) Harless, of Tucson, Ariz.; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is survived by five siblings, Bill (Beverly) Burkardt, of Polo, Eileen Johannes, of Dixon, Jane (Joe) Harris, of Peoria, Marilyn (Rod) Carls, of Peoria, and Tom (Mary Lou) Burkardt, of Dixon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Bob, Gilbert, Charles, Don, Ed, John, and Dan Burkardt; and eight sisters, Mary and Therese Burkardt, Ruth Van Unnik, Eunice Goy, Carol Twardowski, Irene Moncelle, Rita Ray and Sharon Krutsinger.

Roger was a kind, loving, and godly man. He loved his family, church community, and all people. Born on Sept. 9, 1938, he was the 10th of 21 children raised on the family farm in West Brooklyn. At age 14, he entered the Josephinum Seminary in Ohio to become a priest. After 7 years in the seminary, he served in the Air Force. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and began his lifelong career of serving others as a social worker. He lived on a one acre mini-farm for 43 years and enjoyed horses, dogs, cats, gardening and home projects. His faith was his utmost priority and he shared God’s love with everyone. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, visited the sick in nursing homes and the hospital, and was in the Knights of Columbus for over 60 years. “We are So Blessed” was his favorite phrase to express the love he had for his family and friends.

Memorials may be sent to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Oceanside, Catholic Charities, Culture of Life Family Services or the donor’s choice.