Kathleen “Kathy” Joanne (Koutnik) Burchard, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday July 21, 2008, at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre due to failing health related to diabetes.
A Memorial Service will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2008, at the Community Alliance Church with Pastor John Chapman officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the service at the church. A private burial will take place later at the Highland Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Network of Praise/KXEI at P.O. Box 2426, Havre, MT 59501, the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line at 500 1st Ave., Havre, MT 59501 or the American Diabetes Association. Kathy Burchard was born in Havre on April 13, 1948, to Robert and Arlene (Roubal) Koutnik. She attended Kremlin schools graduating in 1966. Later that year she married Russ Richter and to that union a daughter Kelly was born. She later married Gary Burchard and to that union Chad and Travis were born. In 1971, they moved to Plains to follow a railroad career, where they lived and raised their family for the next 19 years. Work travels then took them to Havre and Topeka, Kan. Upon retirement Kathy settled in Havre and took pride in caring for her mother, Arlene Koutnik, for several years. During Kathy’s life she made many special friends. She was a very compassionate person and a special friend to many. Kathy loved her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. She attended churches in the towns that she lived and enjoyed the fellowship of fellow Christians. Kathy enjoyed many things in life including spending time with her family, friends and, especially, her grandchildren as they were the apples of her eye. She spoiled her grandchildren as much as possible. Her grandchildren loved her deeply. She enjoyed playing all sorts of games, especially cards and dominos, camping, gardening, going for drives in the mountains, and her family pets. Survivors include her children, Kelly (Calvin) VonHeeder of Plains, Chad (Tammy) Burchard of Spokane, Wash., Travis (Michelle) Burchard of Havre; brother, Randy (Laurie) Koutnik of Clancy; sisters, Cindy (Butch) Marshall of Spokane, Wash., and Trease Bertsch of Meridian, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert (Bob) Koutnik, and mother, Arlene Koutnik.
