Polly P. Burkhardt

Polly Parmer Burkhardt, 49, of Delphi, passed away Nov. 19, 2007, at 5 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Delphi. She had been a resident there since Nov. 1, and had battled cancer since April 2004.

Mrs. Burkhardt was born Oct. 17, 1958, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Jack and Nan Gustafson Parmer. Her marriage was to Thomas E. Burkhardt in Lafayette on Dec. 22, 1978, and he survives.

She graduated from Lowe High School in Indianapolis in 1975, and received a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Purdue University in 1981.

Mrs. Burkhardt was a supervisor at the small animal building at Purdue and had worked there for 26 years.

She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette and the American Kennel Club, and volunteered at the Tippecanoe County 4-H Fair, helping with dog showmanship.

Mrs. Burkhardt was an accomplished breeder of Labrador Retrievers and dachshunds. She and her husband traveled all over the United States competing in dog shows, and had several of those breeds win championships. Her hobbies were horses, showing her dogs, traveling and reading.

Surviving are her husband; a son, Christopher J. Burkhardt of Lafayette; her brother and sisterin law, Ron and Mary Sue Burkhardt of Monticello; a niece, Kristine Dunson (husband: Caio) of New York City, N.Y.; and a nephew, John Burkhardt of Seattle, Wash.

The family will receive friends today, Wednesday, at 10 a.m. until time of the memorial service at 11 at St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Pastors David French and Michael Salemink will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Educational Foundation or the Tippecanoe County 4-H K-9 program. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi was in charge of arrangements.