Rocky Layne Burgart

Rocky Layne Burgart age 68 of New Hampton, IA died Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN from injuries sustained in a farming accident.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. James Goerend celebrating the Mass.  Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Hampton.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.

641-394-4334.

Rocky was born January 16, 1957, in New Hampton to Clayton and Virginia (Johnston) Burgart, Rocky lived his life deeply rooted in the land and values of farming.

Rocky attended New Hampton Schools and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1975. From a young age, he had a passion for farming. Helping his dad on the farm was more than a chore—it was a calling. Even as a student, Rocky would take days off school just to be out in the fields, learning the trade and developing a lifelong love for agriculture and the outdoors.

After high school, fate intervened in the form of a chance meeting at FS, where Rocky met Sue Schaudenecker. With a little persistence and his trademark charm, he convinced her to go on a date, and it only took one for them both to know they had found something special. Rocky and Sue were married on August 22, 1987, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. Together they built a life grounded in love, hard work, and family raising three children: Melissa, Amanda, and Kyle.

While farming remained Rocky’s first love, he also found joy in life on the road. He spent time driving truck for Supersweet Foods, Rausch Brothers Trucking, and others. He enjoyed the open road and the quiet satisfaction of a day’s drive.

Rocky’s heart was most at home in nature. Whether it was his annual hog hunting trips to Texas with his brother Roger and his son-in-laws, camping with his family in places like Yellowstone and Lake Michigan, or simply taking ranger rides through the countryside. He found peace and joy outdoors. He especially loved sharing these moments with his grandkids, many of whom spent countless hours riding beside him on the ranger learning about the land and life from their beloved grandpa.

Rocky’s life was a reflection of his values: hard work, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for the simple, beautiful moments in life. He will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandpa, and a man who never strayed far from the soil that raised him.

Rocky is survived by his wife Sue of New Hampton; two daughters, Melissa (Brandon) Rivers of Huxley, IA, Amanda (Isaiah) Wachira of Ely, IA; one son, Kyle (Tessa) Burgart of Fredericksburg; seven grandchildren, Everly, Ryker, Selena, Amara, Skylar, Remi, Aurora; two brothers, Richard (Jan) Burgart of New Hampton, Randy (Linda) Burgart of New Hampton; four sisters, Dianne Dann of Fredericksburg, Dixie (Jim) Joebgen of New Hampton, Dawn (John) Eichenberger of Lawler, Barbara (Dennis) Folkers of Oelwein; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Lechtenberg of New Hampton; one sister-in-law Mary Burgart of Sumner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton Burgart, Virginia Burgart and Mavis Burgart; two brothers, Rance Burgart, Roger Burgart; one sister, Cheryl Lechtenberg.