March 16, 1962 – Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Service Information
St. Mark Lutheran Church, New Germany, MN
Sunday, November 11, 2018
3:30 PM

Visitation Information
St. Mark Lutheran Church, New Germany, MN
Sunday, November 11, 2018
1:00 – 3:30 PM

Bruce Elroy Burkowske, age 56, of Cokato, Minnesota, passed away on November 6, 2018 in a tragic car accident.

He was born on March 16, 1962, in Watertown, MN, the son of Elroy and Neola “Suzy” (Prough) Burkowske.

Bruce was baptized on April 1, 1962, and confirmed in his faith on May 11, 1976, both at St. Mark Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN. He was a 1980 graduate of Waconia High School. Bruce was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved spending time at his cabin at Lake Mille Lacs. He fulfilled his dream of shooting an elk and a moose with his group of friends. He had a passion for cooking on any type of grill. His new favorite was his big Green Egg. Bruce was a proud member of the Winsted Sportsmen’s Club and cooked with his friends for the annual Hog Roast. Bruce’s strong faith in God was a great comfort to him.

He is survived by his significant other, Colleen Kegler of Winsted; siblings Debbie (Randy) Markanich of Grottoes, Virginia, Lori (Neal) Barton of Woodbury, Jeffrey (Michelle) Burkowske of Winsted, Shari Burkowske of Watertown, Shelley (Rob) Stark of Monticello, and Carl Burkowske of Eagan; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Jason Francis, and niece Tricia Mwangi.

Bruce was employed as a truck driver and has driven over 3 million miles with no chargeable accidents in his career. For the last 17 years, he was employed by Ron and Julie Haekenkamp of RJ Transport in Greenfield, MN.

Visitation and the funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in New Germany. Visitation will take place from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., immediately followed by the funeral service. Pastor LeRoy LaPlant will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mark’s Cemetery. A reception at the St. Mark Fellowship Center will follow the interment.

Casket Bearers will be Tom Kieser, Adam Koch, John Koch, Tony Kahle, Rob Stark, and Ron Haekenkamp.

Chilson Funeral Home, Winsted, MN has been entrusted with the arrangements.