Levi Buresch, a 20-year-old sophomore agronomy and animal science major, died Jan. 6 near Lakefield, Minn.

Buresch was always making people laugh. Family and faith were important to him, and he loved the outdoors and working on the farm.

One friend on Facebook said “apparently God needed a good farm hand in the heavens.”

Kelley Tilmon, associate professor of entomology, was Buresch’s student adviser.

“Levi Buresch was a wonderful young man, hard-working and full of promise,” Tilmon said. “People who taught him in our department remember him very fondly as a good student and a truly good person. The Plant Science Department is grieved at his loss and we have the deepest sympathy for his family, friends and his loved ones.”

Buresch highly valued his his family. He is survived by his parents, Keith and Pauline Buresch, brother and sister, extended family and friends. He will be missed by many.

“You were a good person but moreover a great friend,” one friend wrote on Facebook. “You inspired me and many others to live each day to the fullest.”

Many people had memories to share.

“I am going to miss all those midnight Walmart trips when we really didn’t even need to buy something,” another friend wrote. “Also all those Walker Texas Ranger nights watching Chuck Norris do what he does best.”

And many knew him as a classmate.

“Classes with you were always the most fun,” one wrote. “I’m going to miss you in stats next semester, and forever.”

While in highschool at Jackson County Central, he was a member of FFA and was a member of the Soils team with his brother, Luke, which won the Minnesota State championship. Levi was later a member of the State Champion Meats Team. He was also the Premier Crops Showman at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009 and 2010.

Buresch was a big sports fan, especially baseball. He loved outdoor sports, like target shooting and water skiing.

The funeral service was Jan. 9 at the First United Methodist Church in Windom, Minn.

Tilmon attended the funeral, and she said it was a “deeply moving event.”

She estimated there were about 300 people in attendance, “making it clear how deeply Levi and his family are loved.”

Osterberg Funeral Home contributed to this report.