Caledonia Argus

Burrichter Farm Center in Eitzen closes

Posted: 1/13/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Burrichter Farm Center in Eitzen has closed.

It was owned by Norris ìBudî Burrichter of Eitzen, who died of a heart attack on December 3.

Budís wife, Mary Lou, is also selling a ceramic business called Eitzen Ceramics that she and Bud operated in the building, which is located on Highway 76 at the north end of the city.

Bud and his son, Toby, built the farm center addition to the building in 1983 and opened it in September of that year. They designed the building so that trucks could drive inside and unload their material. Toby worked there until about 10 years ago.

Mary Lou has a buyer lined up for the building, although she declined to identify who that was. She said the building will house a business.

Burrichter Feed Center sold a full line of feed, seed, and related farm implements. It was known for its cleanliness, and in later years, as a spot for Bud and his friends to shoot the breeze, Mary Lou said.

ìIn the end it was just bags of bird seed and dog food,î Mary Lou said.

The business was declining, which Mary Lou said was a reflection of a decline in the number of small farms. Big farmers have to bring in their own seed, she said. ìBecause they canít be paying this middleman all the time. And it was a very good business and he had very good friends.î

ìActually he should have retired but he just wouldnít do it,î Mary Lou said.

Bud, who was 68, died of a heart attack in December 3 while driving through Riverside Park in La Crosse looking at Christmas lights. He and Mary Lou had just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on November 24.

He was never sick, Mary Lou said. He died in about 15 seconds.

Mary Lou was injured in the accident. She has lost some weight, and she is weak and has unsteady hands. That has caused her to temporarily cancel her ceramics classes, which she holds in her home in Eitzen.

The sale will include a mixing and pouring machine, supplies, inventory, and 6,000-7,000 molds that are used to make different figurines, all for $2,000. Itís a bargain, Mary Lou said, probably 10 cents on the dollar.

Sheís selling it because it was a two-person operation, and she canít handle the heavy parts of the job herself. ìThis business is so labor-intensive,î she said.

But once she heals from the accident, she will resume the ceramics classes for kids and developmentally challenged adults that she holds in her house.

ìI donít know for how long, but weíll see,î she said. ìItís been fun, and it started as a lark.î

She teaches people how to paint and glaze the items. There are many things to choose from. She has a back room lined from floor to ceiling with shelves of clay figures from those 6,000-plus molds.

Her house is a colorful testimony to her skills with a paintbrush. Intricately painted figurines of all size and description stand on shelves and the floor.

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