Mike Burkey

Michael (Mike) Emery Burkey died Sunday, November 27, 2016 at the age of sixty-nine years. A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 PM Sunday, December 11, 2016 with a prayer service beginning at 3 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.
Mike was born February 12, 1947 in Alexandria; the first son born to Myron and Doris G. (Foslien) Burkey. He grew up on a farm in Ida Township. Mike was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. He was involved with Future Farmers of America and he worked with horses at the Darling Dude Ranch. Mike competed with his horse, Rusty. He also worked at Hustad Implement in Alexandria.
Following his graduation from Jefferson High School in 1965 he moved to Spring Lake Park, MN to work at a machine shop for many years. He quickly gained the position of foreman and supervised over one hundred people. This was a good fit for his creative, mechanical mind.
On October 8, 1965 he was married to Ruth Ann Everett. To this union three children were born, Kevin, Bryan and DiAnn. After this marriage dissolved Mike moved to a farm in Isanti and continued to drive to work in Spring lake Park. When the company Mike worked for relocated out of state he moved back to his grandparent's farm in Ida Township.
Mike loved being outside, farming, fixing machinery and equipment, creating things from his huge inventory, tinkering and collecting about everything. Before his health failed Mike loved riding his Harley and talking smart.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Bryan. He is survived by his son, Kevin Burkey of Coon Rapids, MN; his daughter, DiAnn Main and husband, Eddie. Of Isanti; grandchildren, Katie Burkey, Kassie Burkey, Nathan Burkey, Hali Thompson, and Courtney Main; great grandchildren, Mason and Arielle; step-mother, Doris A. Burkey; brothers, Ritchie Burkey, Greg Burkey and Erik Klitzki and wife, Bonnie, all of Alexandria; and sister Judy Burkey (Greg Hughes) of Alexandria; two aunts and several nieces and nephews.