MaryEllen Eula Burkle

MARYELLEN EULA BURKLE June 16, 1937 – July 2, 2019                   Mary Ellen Eula Burkle, age 82, a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident, peacefully entered the splendor of Heaven’s glory on a beautiful sunny Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2019, in the familiar comfort of her home overlooking the pristine beauty of Ojibway Lake surrounded by her loved ones.                 Mary Ellen was born on June 16, 1937, in Minneapolis to Charles and June (Wilson) Walker.  As a child, she moved with her family to Mora, MN where she graduated from the Mora High School with the Class of 1955.  As a young woman, she ventured to Minneapolis where she studied medical technology.  After receiving her degree, she was united in marriage to Eugene Donald Burkle on August 1, 1959.  Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Jamestown, North Dakota where Mary Ellen gained employment at the state hospital.  In addition to her professional career, MaryEllen also dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and her growing family.  She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade caramel rolls, homemade bread, and Knifla.  In 1970, the Burkle’s moved to Park Rapids where she continued her career in medical technology with St. Joseph’s Hospital for a short time.  She then transferred to the Park Rapids Medical Clinic where her career spanned for another 26 years until her retirement.  Mary Ellen was a woman of strong faith.  She was active in the work and ministry of the Lake George Bible Chapel where she enjoyed worship and fellowship for decades.  God had gifted MaryEllen with great musical talents and she enjoyed singing, playing the omnichord, and writing her own gospel music which praised God and professed her vibrant love for Him. She would often share her music with the residents at the Heritage Living Center Nursing Home and with the elderly who were homebound. Mary Ellen also had great literary skills and enjoyed writing children’s books.  She had completed a writing course through the Children’s Literature Institute.  She enjoyed the outdoors and immersing herself in nature.  Mary Ellen believed strongly in holistic medicine and studied a great deal about natural healing herbs and plants.  She loved watching and being with the wildlife.  She enjoyed talking to the black bears she encountered while picking wild berries on their property which they left in its natural state to make home for many of Northern Minnesota’s native wildlife.  She loved being on the lake and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.  In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting hundreds of gift items for her family and friends and was a voracious reader, easily reading a couple of books per week.                 MaryEllen will be lovingly remembered by her five children:  Laurel Adair of Martinsville, Indiana, Brenda (Kevin) Larson of Park Rapids, Thomas (Cindy) Burkle of Brandon, SD, Susan (Larry) Woodbridge of Nevis, MN, and Michael (Keiko) Burkle of Paulsbo, WA; 14 dearly loved grandchildren and 12 precious great-grandchildren; her sister, Beulah Fischer of Irving, TX, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.                 She was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 2011; two brothers: David and Daniel; one sister, Audrey; one grandson, Christopher and one great-grandchild, Saoirse.                 Memorial services will be held 11 AM Saturday, July 6, 2011 at the Lake George Bible Chapel in Lake George with the Reverend John Weher officiating.  Sharon Hadrava will be the organist.  To leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com