Rocky Layne Burgart, 68
Rocky Layne Burgart, age 68 of New Hampton, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, from injuries sustained in a farming accident.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with the Rev. James Goerend celebrating the Mass.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Hampton.
Friends greeted the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.
Rocky was born Jan. 16, 1957, in New Hampton to Clayton and Virginia (Johnston) Burgart, and Rocky lived his life deeply rooted in the land and values of farming.
Rocky attended New Hampton Schools and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1975. From a young age, he had a passion for farming. Helping his dad on the farm was more than a chore — it was a calling. Even as a student, Rocky would take days off school just to be out in the fields, learning the trade and developing a lifelong love for agriculture and the outdoors.
After high school, fate intervened in the form of a chance meeting at FS, where Rocky met Sue Schaudenecker. With a little persistence and his trademark charm, he convinced her to go on a date, and it only took one for them both to know they had found something special.
Rocky and Sue were married on Aug. 22, 1987, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. Together they built a life grounded in love, hard work, and family raising three children — Melissa, Amanda and Kyle.
While farming remained Rocky’s first love, he also found joy in life on the road. He spent time driving truck for Supersweet Foods, Rausch Brothers Trucking and others. He enjoyed the open road and the quiet satisfaction of a day’s drive.
Rocky’s heart was most at home in nature. Whether it was his annual hog hunting trips to Texas with his brother Roger and his son-in-laws, camping with his family in places like Yellowstone and Lake Michigan, or simply taking ranger rides through the countryside. He found peace and joy outdoors.
He especially loved sharing these moments with his grandkids, many of whom spent countless hours riding beside him on the ranger learning about the land and life from their beloved grandpa.
Rocky’s life was a reflection of his values — hard work, devotion to family and a deep appreciation for the simple, beautiful moments in life. He will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandpa and a man who never strayed far from the soil that raised him.
Rocky is survived by his wife, Sue of New Hampton; two daughters, Melissa (Brandon) Rivers of Huxley, and Amanda (Isaiah) Wachira of Ely; one son, Kyle (Tessa) Burgart of Fredericksburg; seven grandchildren, Everly, Ryker, Selena, Amara, Skylar, Remi and Aurora; two brothers, Richard (Jan) Burgart of New Hampton, and Randy (Linda) Burgart of New Hampton; four sisters, Dianne Dann of Fredericksburg, Dixie (Jim) Joebgen of New Hampton, Dawn (John) Eichenberger of Lawler, and Barbara (Dennis) Folkers of Oelwein; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Lechtenberg of New Hampton; and one sister-in-law, Mary Burgart of Sumner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton Burgart, Virginia Burgart and Mavis Burgart; two brothers, Rance Burgart and Roger Burgart; and one sister, Cheryl Lechtenberg.
