FUNERAL SERVICES: 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 7, 2011 at the Lake George Bible Chapel in Lake George, MN with Pastor John Weiher officiating.
VISITATION: One hour prior to the service at the Bible Chapel on Monday.
SURVIVORS: His wife of 52 years, Mary Ellen; his 5 children: Laurel (Ed) Adair, Brenda (Kevin) Larson, Thomas (Cindy) Burkle, Susan (Woody) Woodbridge and Michael (Keiko) Burkle; 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
EUGENE “GENE” DONALD BURKLE
October 4, 1936 ~ November 1, 2011
Eugene Donald Burkle, age 75 of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at his home near Park Rapids, MN.
Gene was born on October 4, 1936 to Thomas and Bertha (Bucholz) Burkle in Kulm, North Dakota. He grew up attended the Kulm and Jamestown Schools. In his youth, Gene’s passion was racing motorcycles and cars. On August 1, 1959, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Walker in Minneapolis, MN. Their union was blessed with 5 children: Laurel, Brenda, Thomas, Susan and Michael. They resided in Jamestown, ND until 1970 when they moved to Park Rapids, MN and have resided ever since. Gene was a proud and loving member of the Lake George Bible Chapel. He was an expert mechanic, Yamaha dealer and truck driver. Gene was an avid boxing fan and loved watching Nascar. He had dedication and was driven with everything he set out to do. Along with being a devoted husband and father; he also took great pride in his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Mary Ellen; his 5 children: Laurel (Ed) Adair, Brenda (Kevin) Larson, Thomas (Cindy) Burkle, Susan (Woody) Woodbridge and Michael (Keiko) Burkle; 15 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Edna and brothers, Clarence and Arthur.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 7, 2011 at the Lake George Bible Chapel in Lake George, MN with Pastor John Weiher officiating. Honorary casketbearers will be: Thomas Burkle, Michael Burkle, Ed Adair, Kevin Larson, Woody Woodbridge and Tom McLaughlin. A luncheon will be hosted for all to attend following the service. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.
I too am sorry to hear of Gene's passing. I do family history research on the Buerkles of North Dakota. Eugene's father Thomas was a younger brother of my grandfather Adam. Thomas is one that I've had next to no information about. I wish I had more information about what happened to Eugene's aunts. But I'm glad to see that Gene had a full life and a large family.
9
Friday, 18 November 2011 02:50
Tom McLaughlin
"My best friend died today" I hsve known Gene since 1949, We raced motorcycles and cars thru out the US and Canada,Fished the priestine waters of North Idaho, Duck hunted in North Dakota,Picked peaches from the orchards of Washington state,Flowen in a light plane the skies of the state of 10,000 lakes,Sat for many hours in his kitchen solving the problems of the country, and yet, we did not get to complete our "Bucket list" togeather, But we sure tried;Great Memories will always be foremost. Rest in Peace my friend, I greatly miss you!
8
Friday, 11 November 2011 16:30
Mark J.VonBank
11/11/'11
To The Burjle Families,
My prayers and thoughts are with you all on the loss of your loved one. May Gods healing touch be always with you and remember the special times with Gene in your lives and may the memories of him live on in your hearts forever. Godspeed and Peace Be With You Always, Mark J.VonBank-Park Rapids, Minnesota.
7
Sunday, 06 November 2011 17:59
Linn and Julie Bolton - Dunnellon, Fl.
Mary Ellen and family: We are deeply sorry for your loss. For all of us who knew and loved Gene over the years, the loss is one we all share. We are indeed "blessed" to have been included as your friends for so many years. Thanks Gene, for all you gave to Linn and I. The fun and good times we shared will live on in our hearts. We love you.
6
Sunday, 06 November 2011 17:31
heather mack
brad and heather mack(granddaughter and grandson-inlaw)
Grandma i am sorry to hear the passing of such a great man Athat i had in my life and proud to call my grandfather. He will be missed very much. Iknow he is in a much better place and is not suffering any more. Anyone who knew him was a much better person for knowing him.
All my love Heather.
5
Sunday, 06 November 2011 11:48
Beverly, Jeff and Tatonia Bryant
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We've thought of you folks so often thru the years. We remember the snowmobiling and the good times of visiting Gene's shop before a big snowmobile race.
4
Saturday, 05 November 2011 08:25
Ed & Debi Labonte
We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Gene with much fondness at our "coffee hours" at the Antlers.
Sending on this poem that meant so much to both Ed and I when we lost our parents.
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
3
Friday, 04 November 2011 13:28
Ruth Supler
So sorry to hear of Gene's death. You folks have crossed my mind many times over these years even though I didn't get to see you. It is almost nine years since Doug died. Being a widow is tough. You are lucky you have a large family. We had only Dixie & Jim. and only one grandson who will get married next July. Dixie lives in Jamestown and her husband will retire in Dec. from Prax Air the welding shop up by the Interstate. They will move to Kensal, ND in the spring, farther away!
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time,
Love,
Ruth Supler
Fargo, ND
2
Wednesday, 02 November 2011 18:44
jen reitmeier
I am so sorry for your loss!! I am shocked ,I was under the impression Gene was holding his own. I will miss him dearly!
1
Wednesday, 02 November 2011 11:00
Darin Krueger
Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the Burkle Family! I will never forget the Trips to Park Rapids as kids with my parents to go snowmobiling with Gene and family! He always was so much fun and one of my dad's best friends.
Darin & Amy Krueger - Williston ND
Son of Dennis and Marcia Krueger
Jamestown ND
.jpg "Gene Burkle")
To The Burjle Families,
My prayers and thoughts are with you all on the loss of your loved one. May Gods healing touch be always with you and remember the special times with Gene in your lives and may the memories of him live on in your hearts forever. Godspeed and Peace Be With You Always, Mark J.VonBank-Park Rapids, Minnesota.
Grandma i am sorry to hear the passing of such a great man Athat i had in my life and proud to call my grandfather. He will be missed very much. Iknow he is in a much better place and is not suffering any more. Anyone who knew him was a much better person for knowing him.
All my love Heather.
Sending on this poem that meant so much to both Ed and I when we lost our parents.
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time,
Love,
Ruth Supler
Fargo, ND
Darin & Amy Krueger - Williston ND
Son of Dennis and Marcia Krueger
Jamestown ND