Doris Arlene Burkey

Doris (Klitzke) Burkey age 98 of Alexandria, died October 16, 2024, at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on November 15, 2024; at First Lutheran Church, 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria with Pastor PJ Malin officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at West Evergreen Cemetery, Osakis. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

On January 10th, 1926, in Gilchrist Township, Pope County, Minnesota; Doris Arlene was the first-born child of Edward and Gertrude (Peterson) Engen. She would be followed by Ellwood and then Lois. She grew up on the original Peterson Homestead on the banks of Scandinavian Lake. She attended District #3 County School graduating with an 8th grade certification. Through difficult circumstances, including having to board away from home, she graduated from Glenwood High School. During WWII she worked in factory that supported the war effort. 

On February 20, 1946, she married John Klitzke in Pope County. They began their lives together living and farming in Gilchrist Township. On July 25th,1946, they had a son Edward John who died December 5, 1946. In September of 1947, Erik was born! I once asked Johnny how he met Doris. He grinned and said, “Oh, I had seen her around in town and at a couple of dances. And I told my brother Maurice, that Engen girl’s smile stole my heart!” During the course of their marriage they farmed near Kerkoven, on the Klitzke home place, and the Peterson Homestead. 

In 1963 they bought a farm near Osakis, where they farmed until John’s death in January 1,1980. While living near Osakis she was actively involved with neighborhood birthday club, PEO, the Doris Club, Sons of Norway, and Osakis Lutheran Church.

After Johnny’s death, she sold the farm, built a custom home and at the age of 54 enrolled in the Alexandria Vocational School, graduating with a degree in Dietetic Management. She stayed with her Aunt in Minneapolis while she interned and then worked at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Upon an opening at the Osakis Nursing Home, she returned home and worked there for several years. Until it started interfering with her traveling and adventures!

Doris made her first trip to Norway in 1978, after that there was no stopping her! She made several return trips plus explored Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Ireland, Sweden, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, and Canada. (Though I am sure we missed a few!) She traveled and participated in archeological digs in Colorado and northern Minnesota. She traveled with tour groups, family and friends.

When not traveling, Doris played cards with several groups of seniors in Nelson and Alexandria. It was in Nelson where she met Myron Burkey. On December 29, 1991 they were married at the Osakis Lutheran Church. They both sold their homes and bought a home together near Lake Geneva in Alexandria, where she joined Myron’s church. You never met such busy people! They traveled to Europe, all around the US including attending many Norwegian Festivals and Halinglags, a WWII reunion for Myron and many family and friend events. They especially loved hosting Sunday dinners and holidays and sharing their love of their Norwegian heritage with their family!

Doris worked at the Runestone Museum and was interviewed by a Norwegian newspaper and television program regarding the Runestone, she led tours and was well informed on the history of the area and its Norwegian immigrants. She was especially proud of her great-grandfather Ole Peterson a Senator from Pope County. She restored his desk that he used in the Senate and it will now reside in his homestead on Scandinavian Lake.

With Myron’s illness, they sold their home and moved to Arabella Manor Apartments. After Myron’s death January 6, 2011. Doris remained living a very active lifestyle including Bible study, playing cards and going to the casino! 

She began to volunteer at the Douglas County Historical Society including programs on Norwegian immigrants, lefse demonstrations and making lefse for the annual bake sale there. Her final years there she worked on keeping the records for county residents who had passed by cataloguing obituaries.

 In October of 2019 she moved to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living and in June of 2023 she transferred to the Memory Unit. The family would like to thank the staff for their care, especially after her dementia became advanced.

On October 12th, she was admitted to Alomere Hospital and remained there until her passing. The staff of Alomere showed great care and compassion for her, and the family is grateful beyond words for their commitment to keeping her as comfortable as possible. 

Doris is survived by her son Erik (Bonnie) Klitzke; Judy (Greg Hughes) Burkey Greg Burkey, Ritchie Burkey, all of Alexandria; sister, Lois Foss, Moorhead; sister-in-law Ann Engen of rural Glenwood; 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, infant son, brother Ellwood Engen, brother-in-law Roger Foss, step-son Michael Burkey, and grand-daughter Katie Burkey, 

Honorary Pallbearers are her grandchildren and Viking ancestors. 

She will be remembered for her pride in her heritage, her love of her family and her indomitable spirit.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers