Ronald T. Burdick, age 81, of Lake Mills, Iowa, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills with the Rev. Wendi Gillan officiating. 
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., Lake Mills, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery, Lake Mills.
Ronald was born on Oct. 22, 1927, to Clarence “Bub” and Merle (Tapager) Burdick of Lake Mills. He was raised on the family farm and attended Bristol country school and graduated from Lake Mills High School, class of 1945.
On Feb. 4, 1951, he married Noreen Elaine Vinge at Lime Creek Lutheran Church, rural Emmons. They made their home on the Burdick farm, where they lived their entire married lives. Although the village is gone, Ronald was the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Bristol” carrying this through to even meeting the Lord Mayor of Bristol, England in his chambers.
Ronald had a lifelong love of farming and exemplified successful farming practices. He was widely known for raising delicious sweet corn and was always so generous with it. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many years hunting, especially for pheasant and deer. He and Noreen had many fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. Ronald’s love of hunting and fishing led him to teach his children and grandchildren to enjoy the outdoors as well.
Ronald was a perfectionist when it came to refinishing antiques, building furniture, and repairing Noreen’s auction finds.  Reading fiction, the daily newspapers, and following sports were some of Ronald’s passions.  He was always well-versed with the news and current events.  He had a gift for telling jokes and always displayed a great sense of humor.
In their early years Ronald and Noreen enjoyed dancing, playing cards, going to the movies, and out for dinner frequently with friends. Throughout their married lives Ronald and Noreen traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Seeing new sights and meeting new people were highlights of these trips. One of Ronald’s favorite memories was asking people if they had ever met someone who had flown on the Concorde.
Ronald was a lifelong member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills.  He was proud of his English and Danish heritage and of his active involvement in the Democratic party over the years.  Having three grandsons brought great joy to Ronald’s life.
Ronald is survived by three children: Bruce and his wife Diane Burdick of Lake Mills, Nancy and her husband Gary White of Independence, and Mary Nell Fullerton of Mason City; and three grandsons, Tyler and Thomas Burdick of Lake Mills and Samuel Fullerton of Mason City. Ronald is also survived by a brother Blaine C. “Jim” and his wife Brigette of Excelsior; two sisters, Mary Joy Norton and Carmen Boyington of Bandera, Texas; and nieces, nephews and many friends.
Preceding Ronald in death were his parents; wife Noreen on April 8, 2008; and brothers-in-law, Nile B. Norton and William Boyington.