“From a Single Dime, to 70 years of Destinations”
By Lara (Bursch) Deppisch
In 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression, my grandpa, Pete Bursch, left home with nothing more than a dime in his pocket and an unbreakable spirit of adventure. Little did he know that this single dime would eventually become the seed of a travel empire that would span generations.
Growing up as the youngest of seven children in Alexandria, Minnesota, Pete’s early life was defined by resilience. Losing his father at 10 and facing extreme poverty, he learned early that opportunity rarely arrives without hard work.
Leaving home at 18, he hitchhiked to New Orleans and back, worked odd jobs, and even spent nights in local jails when he needed a place to sleep. When we asked why he left home if he only had a dime, he responded, “My mother had even less. If I stayed home, she’d have to feed me, too.” College came in sporadic semesters—once with a loan from his sister, another time after selling a car he’d won at a local fair. Education was a dream he would later ensure his children would fully realize. But without a college degree, he continued to work hard. The Civilian Conservation Corps, World War II military service, and various sales jobs across the Midwest shaped Pete’s worldview. But it was in Fergus Falls where he met the woman who would become his life partner—Audrey.
A back injury from the war led my grandpa to an unexpected crossroads. While recovering from surgery at Mayo Clinic, he and Audrey decided they’d move back to Alexandria so they could help two of his sisters. They purchased the local Bus Depot restaurant and, what started as casual conversations with customers about bus travel, soon evolved into something more. Eventually, travelers would ask Pete about airline routes, destinations, and travel logistics. With his extensive travel experience, he began researching and helping people navigate increasingly complex travel arrangements.
Pictured above, Pete & Audrey Bursch and their Bus Depot Restaurant in Alexandria, MN
In 1956, Pete and Audrey made a pivotal decision: they left the restaurant business and officially opened Bursch Travel, turning their passion for helping people explore the world into a full-time profession.
Pete’s passion for travel was infectious. He and Audrey became renowned for leading group tours to Hawaii, Europe, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, Africa, and Australia. They weren’t just selling trips; they were creating lifelong memories.
The legacy continued with their son, my dad, Fred, who left a promising legal career to join the family business. Under my dad’s leadership, Bursch Travel expanded from two offices to 18, with 80 employees. His love for vehicles—be it airplanes, boats, or motorcycles—was matched only by his commitment to community development.
And now, I carry that torch. After starting a job in advertising in Chicago, later working remotely while my husband was in the US Navy, I had built a career far from our family’s Minnesota roots. But life has a way of bringing us home. After being laid off and having two small children, my dad asked me to help Bursch Travel with their social media—a task that slowly drew me back into the family business.
When my dad became ill, the future of Bursch Travel hung in uncertainty. He was searching for someone who would care for the agency as more than just a business, someone who would protect its heart and legacy. During the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, we discovered new ways of working together, bridging distances that once seemed impossible.
In a moment that felt both profound and inevitable, my dad asked if I would take over the business. My children were older, my passion for travel remained undiminished, and I understood the soul of this company that had been part of my life since childhood. The answer was an easy “yes.”
In December 2021, I lost my dad, and taking over Bursch Travel became more than a professional transition. It was a way of honoring his memory and continuing a legacy that spanned three generations. This has been the hardest and most rewarding journey of my life, filled with grief, pride, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
As we approach our 70th anniversary in November 2026, we’re not just celebrating a business—we’re honoring our entire team’s commitment to showing people the world, one traveler at a time. From Pete’s single dime to now, destinations across the globe, Bursch Travel’s story is a testament to dreams, determination, and the transformative power of travel.
Next year, we’ll commemorate our milestone aboard Canyon Spirit’s “Rockies to Red Rocks” train tour, a fitting tribute to the adventurous spirit that started it all. So, here’s to the journey ahead—both on the rails and in the continuing story of Bursch Travel!
Curious about the “Rockies to the Red Rocks” tour? Learn more about our trip here.
