John Burich

PIERZ -- John Burich, 81, Pierz, died Saturday, April 29, 2000,a t St. Gabriel's Hospital of Little Falls.

He was born Aug. 31, 1918, near Biscay, to John and Julia (Chekal) Burich. He served with the Army in World War II from Feb. 24, 1941 until his discharge on July 29, 1945. Attached to the 9th Field Artillery, he saw combat duty at the invasion of North Africa, battle of Sicily, Anzio Beachhead, the Italian Campaign, Invasion of Southern France, Germany and at the close of the war, in Austria where his unit engaged in fighting German SS troops. He was awarded 14 decorations including the American Defense Service Medal, European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, eight campaign stars, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Arrowhead (for the Anzio Beachhead), the French Fourragere and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He married Dorothy Johnson Jan. 27, 1948, at St. Joseph's Church of Silver Lake. They moved to Minneapolis and he worked for Toro Manufacturing Co. for 29 years. He retired in 1980. They moved to Pierz in September of 1995.

Survivors include his wife; and a sister, Mable Wraspir, Hutchinson.

A sister, Mary Wraspir, died earlier.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Pierz with Father Kenneth Brenny officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, with a rosary by the Christian Mothers/Women at 4:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m., and from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday at the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel of Pierz.