- Date Of Birth: June 8, 1948
- Date Of Death: May 2, 2021
- State: Iowa
Carl Thomas “Tom” Burkhardt died peacefully on the evening of May 2, 2021. He was with family and was comforted and cared for by staff at Brio of Johnston and WesleyLife Hospice.
Tom was born in 1948 in Springfield, MO. He spent his childhood in Bunceton and Bowling Green, MO, and his teenage years in Lincoln, NE. He graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and received his divinity degree from Yale University. He married Lois Mall in 1971, and they made their home together in New Haven, CT, followed by Unadilla and Hastings, NE, and finally Des Moines, IA.
Tom was a loving grandfather to his four grandchildren, Jack Buchanan, Harrison Burkhardt, Cohen Burkhardt, and Lucy Buchanan. He is also survived by his children, Blythe Burkhardt and Tony Buchanan of St. Louis, MO, and Bryan and Betsy Burkhardt of Johnston; siblings, June Hiza and Margaret Chadwick; stepsiblings, Linda Wilson-Weichbrodt, Gayle Gengenbach, Lorrie Klepper, and Rick Hilbert; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lois; parents, Carl Alonzo and Hazel Marie (Adamson) Burkhardt; stepmother, Donna Maxine Burkhardt; stepbrother, Robert Oliver; and granddaughter, Maisie Burkhardt.
Tom had a passion for helping others. He was an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and served churches in Nebraska and Iowa for over 40 years, including in Unadilla, Elmwood, and Hastings, NE. He served at Covenant Christian Church in Urbandale, IA for almost 20 years and then served as interim pastor at Glen Echo, Park Avenue, and Wakonda Christian Churches in Des Moines and churches in Altoona and Oskaloosa. He retired from active ministry in 2014 and became a member of West Des Moines Christian Church. Additionally, Tom took pleasure in teaching philosophy and world religion at DMACC. He also enjoyed reading, fishing, and tinkering with his ‘31 Ford Model A.
