DENIS D. BURKEN

July 28, 1948 — April 4, 2023

Posted

   Tomah - Denis D. Burken, age 74, of Tomah, Wisconsin, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023. He was born July 28, 1948, to Edward and Arletta (Lovell) Burken in Preston, Iowa.

   He attended Sugar Creek grade school and graduated from Northeast High School in 1966.  He served in the US Army, stationed in Japan.  He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and graduated in 1973 from Iowa State University with a degree in animal science.

   Following college graduation, Denis took a job with Kent feeds following his true passion, he started a career in Agriculture.

   Denis was a farmer at heart.   With his life partner, Mary Corlis, by his side, they spent many years milking cows and growing crops.  Together they farmed in numerous locations, eventually landing in the Ridgeville/Wilton area in Wisconsin.  Mary passed away in 2020.

   The last couple years Denis met Patricia Freng, Pat brought Denis joy.  They traveled to Mexico a couple times and enjoyed each other’s company. Denis was learning all about the retired life.

   Denis was a proud Vikings fan living in Green and Gold Country.  Anyone was welcome to stop by and have a brown one and catch the weekly Ag update on Market to Market.

   Denis leaves behind his children Nicole (Bill) Shores, of Chadwick, IL; Neal (Chris) Burken of Galesville, WI; Stepsons Jeff (Inga) Corlis, Randy Corlis and Todd Burkhalter; Grand-daughters Kelsey Shores (Elijah Bigley, Ashlyn Shores, and Sarah Burken; Grand-sons Christian Shores and Nolan Burken; Step-granddaughter Grace Corlis;  1 Great-Grandson, Noah Bigley.

   Denis is survived by brothers Roger (Mary) of Blue Hill, NE, Brian (Elaine) Preston, IA, Kevin (Jackie) of Clinton, IA, Craig (Angela) of Bellevue, IA, sisters Linda Lamp of DeWitt, IA, Donna (Dave) Hotchkiss of Eldridge, IA, Diane (Pat) of Charlotte, IA, Joyce (Jim) Rogis of Clinton, IA, sister-in-law Sharon Burken of Powell, WY, sister-in-law Patsy Burken of Bellevue, IA

   Denis was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Allan, Daryl and Merle, brother-in-law LeRoy Lamp.

   Funeral services with full military honors will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023,1:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.  Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate.  Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Torkelson Funeral Home