Lucille Irene Burkhart, 97, Minot, formerly of the Lonetree-Berthold area, died Thursday, October 20, 2011 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Lucille was born June 16, 1914 on the family farm near Lonetree, North Dakota, the daughter of Jess and Mary (Rudser) Joiner. She was raised on the family farm and educated at Lonetree schools, graduating from high school in 1931. She attended Minot Normal School (now Minot State University) and received a four year degree in business. She taught at Wolseth and Underwood, North Dakota for two years each, prior to her marriage to Loren Burkhart on June 4, 1939.

They made their home at Underwood for a short time, prior to moving to Washington, where Loren worked in the shipyards during World War II. They returned to the family farm near Lonetree, where along with raising their four children, they farmed throughout the years.

Lucille had worked for a time with her brother, Bud, at Bud\'s Food Market in Berthold and had also done some substitute teaching throughout the years. Lucille and Loren moved to Minot in 1995. Loren died April 23, 1998. Lucille moved to Emerald Court in 2004, and later entered the Trinity Nursing Home in 2008, where she had since lived.

Lucille was a longtime member of Berthold Baptist Church, where she was active as the Church Treasurer, Sunday School teacher, Women's Circle group and was involved in Bible Study groups. She was a lifetime member of the Lonetree Homemaker's group and especially enjoyed gardening and reading.

Her loving family includes , children, Patricia (Bruce) Bolyard, Minot, Terry (Blenda) Burkhart, Berthold, Douglas (Patty) Burkhart, Center, Dwight (Susan) Burkhart, Holdingford, MN; grandchildren; Beth (Brian) Downs, Michelle (Brad) Schimke, Shawn Bolyard; Tracey (Tim) Varner, Melissa (Derek) Gackle, Jason (Jayme) & Jeremy (Kayla) Burkhart; Jyle (Sarah), Travis & Brett Meyhoff, Aaron Burkhart & Jerrel Burkhart; great-grandchildren, Trevor, Jordyn & Jaxon Downs; Matthew, Patrick & Alex Schimke; McKenna Varner; Jadyn & Deacon Gackle; Oliver & Eliana Meyhoff; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Edith Strait, Edna Bry & Sara Flohr, along with her brother, Bud Benedict.

Funeral service: Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in Berthold Baptist Church, Berthold.
Interment: Wildrose Cemetery, rural Berthold, ND
Visitation: Sunday from 3:00-6:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Berthold Baptist Church or ND Alzheimer's Association.