Charles "Charlie" Richard Burk, 69 of Bowman died on Saturday,January 28, 2012 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman. Funeral Services for Charlie will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Galen Strand will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be a Family and Friends Service on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at the Krebsbach/Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Charles was born on February 28, 1942 in Williston, ND, the son of Rose (Pelzl) and Donald F. Burk. He moved to rural Amidon as a baby when his parents rented the Morvek place and shortly thereafter moved to the home place when his parents purchased the farm from Frank and Nell Hanzlicek. He attended Conner School through the 8th grade and the boarded in Bowman and graduated from Bowman Public High School in 1961. He then attended Wahpeton State School of Science for 2 years and earned his degree in mechanic. Charlie started working in Harden, MT, but moved back to Bowman as his father needed help on the farm due to his health. Charlie worked at Hilton Chevrolet and took over the farming and helped with the ranch and dairy cattle. In 1963 he married his high school sweetheart Janice Anderson and taught her the fine arts of farming and ranching. Charlie and Janice worked together in everything they did. She was able to assist with everything but the planting. Charlie took pride in his farming practices and the rows had t be just so and straight. She just helped move from field to field and help fill the drills. Charlie was born a true farmer and took much pride in his fields. Once they were planted, there were several trips driving around and checking each field several times before harvest. Charlie also took pride in his machinery and was able to do most of his own mechanic work and it was maintained so that you didn't have so many breakdowns. He retired in 2008 and was so proud he had over 500 registered bidders at his machinery auction and they were from many states. When the machinery left the auction, they left with a full tank of gas and the machinery was road and field ready. Two weeks after the sale, Charlie's health took a dive and he ended up in Bismarck MedCenter with fluid on his lungs that weakened his heart. He was just in Bismarck a week ago and both his heart and lung doctors told him he was doing the best he had since they started seeing him. That was such good news and things were looking up. Charlie spent his life working and tending to business. There was never much time for fun or recreation that could come when he retired. He bought a new camper and duromax diesel Chevrolet pickup with the intent that he and Janice could get some camping and traveling in. They did get to do some camping and traveling but it was cut short due to Charlie's health.
Charlie is survived by his wife Janice, brother-in-law, Marvin and Annetta Anderson, brother-in-law, Leo Heinrich, mother-in-law, Helen Anderson and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Donald Burk and sister-in-law, Karen Heinrich