November 25, 2019

Mildred Kathryn Burk

08-02-1922 to 11-20-2019

Linn County News

Published Nov. 27, 2019

Mildred Kathryn Burk, (Millie), age 97 of Parker, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at home surrounded by family. Mildred was born Aug. 2, 1922, in Patterson, Okla. (Garfield County). She was the third of five children of John Henry and Frieda Bertha (Peters) Wyssmann. She grew up in Garfield County, Okla.

After high school, Mildred moved to Enid, Okla. She worked in a factory while attending Enid Business School, upon graduation worked for Geo. E. Failing Supply Co. in the typing pool.

On April 28, 1946, Mildred and Wilfred Burk were united in marriage in Covington, Okla. The couple made their home in Parker, Kan. Together they raised eight children on the family farm, Margaret, Rose, Carol, Barbara, Wayne, Ruth, Coleen and Kathryn.

Over the years Mildred worked for Osawatomie State Hospital, was an administrative assistant for BEHM Co., and retired from Gulf Western. Her retirement was short-lived, and she went back to work for the Osawatomie Chamber of Commerce and later Taylor Forge where she celebrated her second retirement at the age of 79.

Mildred was a life-long learner; she acquired an associate degree from FSCC. Mildred designed and built a dining room table and hutch in a Wood Working I Class, learned to play the piano in her ‘80s, and in her spare time enjoyed oil painting, ceramics, sewing, quilting, gardening and bird watching.

Mildred was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Paola and belonged to the First Lutheran Quilting Bee, a sister of Beta Sigma Phi, played in the Ding-a-ling Bell Choir, served as officer for the Parker Library Board, was a 4-H community leader, taught 4-H sewing, and served on the Parker Election Voting Precinct.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred; her parents; her siblings, Arthur Wyssmann, Leona Thorp, Irma Fischer and John Wyssmann; granddaughter Dawn Guilliams Miller; and great grandson Joshua Sharrow.

Mildred is survived by her children, Margaret Guilliams of Mt. Gretna, Pa., Rose (John) Gypalo of Algonquin, Ill., Carol Buckman of Colony, Kan., Barbara Finnigin of Seneca, Kan., Wayne Burk of Parker, Ruth (Gary) Hanser of Plattsburg, Mo., Coleen (Jim) Stahl of Centerville, Kan., and Kathryn Johnston (Mike Ford) of Overland Park, Kan.; sister Mary (John) Knecht of Owasso, Okla.; 31 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, and seven great, great grandchildren; and a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to: Heritage Park, c/o Cherry Buckley. PO Box 137, Parker, KS 66072; Good Shepherd Hospice, 11267 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.

Service was Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at First Lutheran Church 401 E. Piankishaw St., Paola, Kan.