John Louis Burgart, 79, died April 12, 2026, at his home in Savage, MN, of anaplastic thyroid cancer. John was a lifelong Iowan until 2016, when he and his wife moved to Minnesota to be near their son and his family.

John was born on Valentine’s Day in 1947 to Delores (Gilbert) and Elmer Burgart in New Hampton, Iowa. The oldest of six children, he lived in rural North Washington until the age of 8, when his mother died from a heart attack at 30. Subsequently, John and his siblings were raised by his maternal grandmother, Evelyn Roths Gilbert, in Ionia. They were surrounded by extended family: loving aunts and uncles, including John’s aunt Bonnie, who was more like a sister. John attended St. Boniface School in Ionia through the eighth grade. In 1965, he graduated from New Hampton High School.

At the University of Northern Iowa, John majored in English and educaton. His first teaching job was high school English in Grundy Center. In August, 1973, after 4 years there and as the head of the English Department, he introduced himself to a new teacher at the jr.-senior high: Becky Mills. Their first date, in September, was to a high school football game where John had supervision duty. In November they become engaged, and in February 1974, they were married at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines.

After 8 years of teaching, John earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Iowa. Moving to Dubuque, John was a librarian at Hempstead High School and then at Jefferson Junior High. Following district-level positons in curriculum, John earned a specialist degree from Drake University. Ultimately, John advanced to be the Dubuque Community School District’s superintendent.

Starting in the early 2000’s, John’s mobility was hampered by hereditary spastic paraplegia. He progressed from using a cane to being wheelchair-bound.

The joys of John and Becky’s decades together were the births and lives of their beloved children, Claire and Evan, as well as the precious presence of Evan’s wife, Annie, and their daughter, Nora.

At his happiest when cooking (“A recipe is just a guide!”), baking, or ordering others around in the kitchen, John also loved traveling with family. He was a firm believer in the transformative power of a good nap (“I’m just resting my eyes”).

A voracious reader and lover of music, he started piano lessons when he turned 50.

John displayed an ever-present motivation to educating himself, usually about history and current events. An inspired and generous gift giver, he was a loving, witty, and fun father, grandfather, and husband.

As a longtime member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Dubuque, John served in the choir, as congregational moderator, and as chair of the commitee to refurbish the church’s historic organ.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and his sister Mary and brother Don.

He is survived by his wife, Becky; daughter, Claire, of Valley Village, CA; son, Evan (Annie), of Minneapolis; cherished granddaughter, Nora; siblings Gary (Raleigh, NC), Sharon (Nashua, IA), and Janice (Dexter) Brahn (Ionia, IA); and aunt Bonnie Shatek (Elma, IA). His family is deeply grateful to Minnesota Hospice.

John’s suggestion was that any memorials be directed to the Burgart Foundation for Dubuque Public School Libraries at DBQfoundation.org, or to National Public Radio.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11 AM at Chapel Hills United Church of Christ located at 6512 Vernon Ave S, Edina, MN with a visitation held 1 hour prior at 10 AM.