Todd Alan Burnett, Beloved Father and Husband, Dies at 49

Todd Alan Burnett died suddenly in his sleep the morning of October 19, 2013 at the age of 49.

Burnett was born on October 14, 1964 in Park Rapids. He later moved with his family to Bloomington, where he graduated from Kennedy High School. 

He joined the Navy in 1981 and served as an operations specialist on the USS Jouett CG-29. His multiple awards while in the Navy, include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars, the Navy Battle "E" Ribbon, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. 

After leaving the Navy in 1987, he worked as an auto advisory, security guard and customer service representative. He lived in Lakeville for more than a decade.

His family describes him as a beloved father and husband, who loved cooking, hunting, the Vikings and the Navy. Burnett was "larger than life" and had "exceptional gaming skills."

Burnett is survived by his wife, Jody Burnett, whom he married in April 2013; son, Jared Burnett (Sarah); stepchildren Holly Goulet-Benson (Brad) and their four children (Preston, Dylan, Shelby and Jordan), Shawn Bakke (Meg Sleeper), Michael Gould, Patrick Strauss and Austin Gould; uncle and aunt Harold and Ciera Gerlich; and numerous cousins. 

Preceded in death by his mother Phillys Marquardt (Gerlich) and father Lloyd Burnett.

The funeral arrangements are not yet decided. He will receive full military honors on April 18, 2014 at Fort Snelling Cemetery. 

The family has set up a Todd Burnett Memorial Fund to help with funeral expenses.