Fred J. Burk, 88, of Bowman, ND, passed away on January 21, 2026 at the Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman.  Funeral Services for Fred will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Bowman Methodist Church.  Pastor Corey Jenkins will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery.  There will be a Family and Friends Service for Fred on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Bowman Methodist Church.  Visitation for Fred will be Sunday from 12-5 at the funeral home chapel and from 7-9 at the church.

Fred was born June 2, 1937, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Lucille and William (Bill) Burk, and was welcomed by his older sister Ellen Blees. In 1942, the family moved to their farm in Slope County, ND which is still in the family to this day and was purchased by son Rocky Burk in 1992.

Fred attended Conner Elementary school until 1948, when he then moved to Bowman and attended Bowman Elementary. While there, Fred had quite a reputation and was known for never being bashful, and he was often found tripping girls in the hallway.

In 1953, he left school and began working on the family farm. Then, in 1956, Fred started driving truck for Emery Peters. This was the start of a 64-year career, which he finally retired in 2014.  The road called his name, he answered with a trucker's calm, quiet earned steadiness, guiding eighteen wheels through the dark, like a beacon humming low across the plains. He carried his family along those highways too, miles stitched with laughter, his grandsons remember the sweep across many states and even the long stretch to Canada, those journeys became stories they still hold close, memories tucked away in the heart.

In 1961, Fred married the love of his life, Clarice Rene Sarsland, in Miles City, MT. They then had three beautiful children, Debbie, Rocky and Michelle. They spent their summers on the family farm, and as the cool fall air began to whisper in, they packed up and moved to town for the school year. In their 59 years of marriage, they created a beautiful life for themselves and their children.

Aside from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Fred's other pride and joy was his lawn. Nothing made him happier than knowing his lawn was the greenest and best-manicured lawn on the block.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife, Rene Burk, daughter Michelle Domagala, sister Ellen Blees, brother-in-law Gerald Blees, niece Sandy Fahlstrom, and his parents.

He is survived by his son Rocky Burk, daughter Debbie (Todd) Seymanski, granddaughter Tia Seymanski, son-in-law Keith Domagala, grandsons Garrett (Haley) Domagala, Sheldon (Bree) Domagala, and great-grandchildren Scotti, Scout, and Keaton, who were a bright light in his life, and he treasured time spent with them. He is also survived by his nieces, Becky Blees, Jody(Doug) Rajewsky, Kim(Brian) Hall, and many great-nieces and great-nephews and their families.