January 17, 1913 – Sunday, January 17, 2010

Service Information
Buffalo Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, January 20th
2 PM

Visitation Information

Burkland, Gordon H. Lifelong resident of Buffalo, died January 17,
2010 on his 97th birthday. He was born in Buffalo on January 17, 1913
to John and Freda (Risberg) Burkland. He was the youngest of six
children. He was a graduate of Buffalo High School and the
University of Minnesota. He married Linda Cook in St. Paul in May,
1940.

Gordon was a veteran of WWII, having served as a lieutenant in the
U.S. Navy in the Pacific. He was aboard the USS Reno when it was
torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on November 3, 1944. After the war,
Gordon joined his father as co-owner of Burkland & Peterson store in
Buffalo. He owned the store, renamed Burklands, until 1974. He also
owned Burklands’ Style Shop in Slayton.

He believed in contributing to his community and was a Wright County
Commission and member of the Buffalo School Board for many years. He
was an active member of Buffalo Presbyterian Church and Rotary, served
on the City Council, and represented Wright County on the Central
Minnesota Mental Health Center Board of Directors. He was involved
with the Minnesota Retailers Federation for many years and served as
chair of the Minnesota Small Business Advisory Council. Gordon was a
Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and was a recipient of many awards
including the 2007 Kurt Weiche Memorial Outstanding Citizen Award.

Gordon was an avid golfer and member of the Buffalo Heights for most
of his life. He loved to travel and was a fan of Buffalo High School
basketball, Gophers football, and the Vikings. He took great pleasure
in his many friends, his children, and his grandchildren. He enjoyed
life and in his own words, “died with a full heart.”

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Linda Cook
Burkland, and his five siblings.

He is survived by his three children, Jean (Jerry) Udesen of New
Brighton, Jill (Randy Freisinger) Burkland of Houghton, MI, and Bruce
(Cathie) Burkland of Jackson, WY, as well as seven grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, January 20th, 2 PM, Buffalo
Presbyterian Church with gathering one hour prior to the service at
CHURCH. Interment precedes the service at Lakeview Cemetery in
Buffalo. The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo served the family 763-682-1363
www.thepetersonchapel.com

Memorials are preferred to Buffalo Presbyterian Church, the City of
Buffalo Downtown Flower Fund, or the American Cancer Society.