A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Burdell Symens, age 90, of Windom, formerly of Heron Lake, will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 17th, at the Windom Methodist Church in Windom with Pastor Kathy Brandt officiating. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #206 of Windom. Burial will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery in Windom.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Monday evening, September 16th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 17th at the Windom Methodist Church in Windom.

Burdell Symens passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Sunday morning, September 8th at the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom.

Burdell Wayne Symens was born at home April 16, 1934, the first of seven children born to Arthur and Gladys (Trei) Symens of George, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from George High School in 1952. Burdell attended one year of college at Northwestern in Orange City and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Chicago and Sioux City, casing mail.

Meeting Marlys Iola Van Meeteren at the Boyden, Iowa swimming pool was one of the best days of his life. They married June 29, 1956 and celebrated 68 wonderful years together. With marriage, Burdell gained many more family members as Marlys had 12 siblings. Drafted into the U.S. Army September 13, 1956, Burdell was stationed in Germany, along with his brother Delbert. He enjoyed his time in Europe, touring various nearby countries, and returned home September 12, 1958 with an honorable discharge in 1962 in the Army Reserves. He then worked in Minneapolis at the Wool Growers Association doing accounting, but farming was calling him. Finding a farm site and land to rent, the family moved to Heron Lake in April of 1965.

Burdell had his priorities in life in order; Faith, Family, and Farming. Burdell was a family man who loved making sure all were included in bean walking, picking rocks, and stick parties! He also made time for water and snow skiing, traveling, attending games, and welcoming everyone in the house as if it had a revolving door. It was evident he loved farming, especially with John Deere tractors! He was happiest when talking to other farmers about the crops, machinery, prices, and anything that farming entailed. He was blessed to care for the land for almost 60 years. Along with farming, Burdell never knew a stranger, they were just people he hadn't met yet. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, wanting to know where they lived and what they did. He had a natural curiosity about everything.

Burdell served the Heron Lake Methodist church for many years, teaching Sunday School, being active in its choir, the church council, and helping wherever he was needed. Burdell was so proud of his children Gale, Greg, Char, and Kimm. This expanded to 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, with three more on the way.

Burdell is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marlys Symens of Windom; four children, Gale (Patty) Symens of Heron Lake, Greg (Lorinda) Symens of Sioux Falls, Char (Jack) Carlson of Morgan, and Kimm Symens of Windom; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Katie (Colin) Bennett with Emmalyn, Miciah, and Kamryn, Philip Symens, Jamie (Chris) Opdahl, Ashley (Matt) Symens-Meadows with Matthew, Brian (Nicole) Symens with Aiden, Shane Symens, Adam (Kirstin) Carlson with Titus, Elijah, and Judah; Ryan (Hannah) Carlson with Emory, Jason (Shelby) Carlson with Lincoln and Callum, and Gabriella Symens-Otero; sister, Elaine (Richard) Rypkema; sisters-in-law, Maxine, Sharon, Fern, Pam, Mary Meister, and fourteen Van Meeteren in-laws; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Gladys Symens; in-laws Cordy and Mona Van Meeteren; brothers, Delbert,  Marlyn, Arthur, Irvin, and Dale; and eight Van Meeteren in-laws.