Chesnia Eugene Burdick

Chesnia “Chet” Burdick, 83, of Hager City, Wisconsin, died Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Grand Meadow Senior Living in Grand Meadow, Minnesota.

He was born November 11, 1942 in Chicago to Kenneth and Lois (Cox) Burdick. He grew up in St. Charles, Minn. and attended school there. In 1960, at 17-years-old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1963. He returned to St. Charles for a short while before he moved to Red Wing and began his 30-year career with Minnesota Corrections. He worked at the juvenile facility until his retirement at 55.

Chet was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served in many capacities at the ward in Red Wing. In 1995, on his birthday, he married Neva Sem at the Temple in Glenview, Illinois. Together they enjoyed traveling, going out to restaurants and spending time with their nieces and nephews.

Chet loved to have a good time. He enjoyed telling stories, had a great sense of humor, was known for playing a very successful practical joke or two. In his younger years, he would take his Christmas vacations early so he could play Santa Claus at the malls in the Twin Cities. He was an excellent, very realistic Santa. For many years, before he was married, Chet owned a horse named Chkedb. He also used to cultivate cacti. He loved getting together with family but was also happy just to be at home with Neva, settled in with a good book.

He will be missed by many, including his siblings; Genevieve Caouette of Gulf Port, Mississippi, Ella (Dick) Steffens of Maricopa, Arizona, Jan Timm of St. Charles, Minnesota; three half-siblings, Carol Field of Maricopa, Shelley (John) Stern of Alto, New Mexico, and John (Paula) Webb of Wellington, Florida; 16 nieces and nephews; as well as other extended family and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; mother, Lois Schuchard and step-father, Walter Schuchard; father, Kenneth Burdick and step-mother, Marian Burdick; sisters, Doris Koenig and Ramona Freeman.

A funeral service will be 10 a.m., Monday, March 30, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Red Wing with Bishop Jeff Johnson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. A burial with military honors will take place at Fort Snelling. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com