Donoven 'Don' Bursken

Funeral service for Donoven "Don" Bursken of Morris, Minnesota will be held Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton, Minnesota.

My dad was a very private, hardworking man.

He cared deeply for myself and my boys, and would light up with the mention of pictures of his great-granddaughter, Dakotah.

Don was born May 5, 1941, and grew up on a farm with three sisters. He told me his first job, his foreman had to come and start the heavy machine and his moving dirt began. In 1966, he got a job with MNDOT and was known as the best crane operator around. Dad didn’t miss a family gathering at my home. He loved to fish and hunt, with many trophy walleye and didn’t go a season without shooting a deer. So, you know, he out fished and hunted me and many in the family.

I have many more memories of dad from his quick-witted personality to his stubbornness. Couldn’t take him anywhere without someone knowing him.

I have now realized what it means to lose a parent. So grateful we had a close relationship.

He left behind me, Michelle, Troy and his family along with Dakotah and Cody Mehlhaf; his first wife, Rosie, and second wife, Deb; his sisters. Geraldine and Rita. Margie met him in heaven along with so many friends and extended family.

Thank you for being a part of my dad’s life. 

RIP Dad, Love you

Michelle

Don died at his home in Morris on Monday, February 5, 2024.  He was 82 years old.

Don is survived by his daughter, Michelle Mehlhaf of Barrett; grandchildren: Troy (Alayna) Mehlhaf, and Cody Mehlhaf; one great grandchild: Dakotah Mehlhaf; Lee Seifert and his sons: Koel, Kore, and Kode (& friend, Tejah); sisters: Geraldine Woodard, and Rita (Jerry) Irons; Geraldine’s children: Richard (Jolene) Woodard & family, Ronald Woodard, Janice Tevro & son, and Larry Woodard; Rita’s children: Alan (Wendy) Irons & family, Lizze (Devin) Shaw, and Luke (Brianna) Irons; Margie’s daughter: Denyce (Jason) Cornstock; Denyce’s children: Justin (Josey) Cornstock & family, Jenna (Mason) Hegstad & family; his first wife, Rosie; his second wife, Deb; extended family: David Berning, and Dianne Parker; extended grandchildren: Dawson Berning, Chase Berning, Cambrie Parker, Colton Parker. He is preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Isabelle Bursken; and sister, Margie Tenney; nephew: Daryl Woodard.

 Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Don.