It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Nicole Burda, 96, of Rochester, MN (formerly Hopkins, MN). Our Mémé, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and cherished matriarch of our family, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Born Nicole Marcelle Jeannine Heisch on February 26, 1928, in the picturesque town of Enghien-les-Bains, France, her life took a fateful turn in the summer of 1944 when she met Albert Louis Burda, an American soldier stationed in France. They fell in love, and married in Paris, France on November 19, 1945. Shortly after, Nicole made the brave decision to leave her cherished homeland and immigrate to the United States alone, in advance of her husband, to live with his parents at their farm in Austin, MN. Once Albert completed his military service, he joined Nicole and his parents in Austin, MN.
Nicole and Albert eventually moved to the Twin Cities, where Nicole spent many of her working years at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka and First Minnetonka City Bank. During those years, she met many friends, including her cherished friends, Garnet Gilligan and Julie Chesser.
Nicole’s greatest love was her family, and she was known for remembering countless birthdays and faithfully sending cards to all. She leaves behind an incredible legacy, including five children: Nancy (William) Burrows, Patricia (Tony) Benjamin, Claudia (Gregg) Bernhardt, Michele Mahowald, and Patrick (Evangeline) Burda; fifteen grandchildren: Karen House, June Burrows, Tammy (Lyle) Klein, Bill (Beth) Burrows, Jeff (Jaci) Benjamin, Andi (Troy) Morgan, Alicia Benjamin, Sarah (Scott) Buell, Matthew (Beth) Bernhardt, Brian (Jamie) Bernhardt, Ryan (Kristen) Zemek, Brandon (Sarah) Zemek, Christine (Justin) Larsen, Yasmin San Pedro, and Carl Burda; twenty-four great-grandchildren: Dustin (Jenna), Dallas & Danielle House, Thomas (Clare) Kruse, Nicole Evans, Marissa Burrows, Jessica (Harvey) Stutzman, Chris Koenig, Rylee Klein, Ean Burrows, William, Reed & Gregory Buell, Annabelle, Addilynn, Abigail & Alexis Bernhardt, Brady Brock, Andrew & Owen Zemek, Cameron & Kendall Zemek, Angelina & Charlie Larsen; and eleven great-great-grandchildren: Landon, Kylie, Braydon, Aubry, Dayton, Dalton, Trinity, Carter, Shaniah, Morgen, and Everleigh.
Nicole is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert Burda (1971), mother, Suzanne Cargill Briffault (1991), brother, Claude Heisch (2015), daughter, Nancy Burrows (2019), and great-granddaughter, Abigail Bernhardt (2019). Nicole’s love, wit, and savoir faire will be missed by all. Her strong faith brought comfort and wisdom to those around her, and her final wish to join her Savior in eternal life has been granted.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at 11am at River of Glory Church in Rochester, MN. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Arrangements, condolences and memories of Nicole are welcome at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
A special thank you for the compassionate care Nicole received from the team at Benedictine Living Community-Rochester Madonna Towers.
Pat:
I have seen you once since high school, at our 50th Reunion. It seems odd that a random obituary has caught my attention and has me thinking about you. I moved to Rochester in 1982 for a job, and made it my home (except for winters in Arizona).
I never met your Mom in my time here, but I wish I had. She led an interesting life and left an incredible legacy of generations of family. I hope her passing will bring your family together with warm stories and wonderful memories.
My thoughts are with you and family.
Ross Messick