Rapid River
Elmer Carl Burkland, age 95, of Rapid River, MI passed away Thursday evening, January 26, 2017 at his home.
Elmer was born August 4, 1921, on the farm, in Port Wing, WI. The son, of Sven and Anna (Aronson) Bjorklund, who were both Swedish immigrants to the United States.
Although he grew up in Port Wing, WI and moved to Detroit in the 40’s, Elmer spent most of his 40 year professional career as a Painter/Decorator Contractor in Southfield, MI. He later moved to Waterford, MI before retiring to Rapid River, MI in 1981 where he enjoyed retirement for the next 35 years.
He is survived by:
2 Sons: Robert (Stacey) Burkland of Davisburg, MI
Gary Burkland of Ortonville, MI
1 Sister: Helen Willson of Tucson, AZ
Grand Children: Eric, James, and Brian Burkland.
Nephews and Nieces: Jimmy, AnnaMarie, JoAnne, Bonnie, Robin, Edgar and Alice Burklund.
And, Barbara Schulze, Becky Carlson, Debra Burklund, Julie Willson, and Sallie Willson.
And, many Great Grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Jane Elizabeth, he was preceded in death by:
3 Brothers: Paul, Harry, and Edgar Burkland
Sisters in Law, Sonia, Dorothy, and Alice Burklund
And a Great Cousin: Elizabeth Nelson of Gladstone, MI
Elmer had a genuine love of people, he was virtually incapable of judgmental thinking and had a very engaging personality. He was most concerned about living up to a strongly prescribed code of personal conduct.
Elmer enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching the Green Bay Packers, listening to ABBA, and being a close companion to Monty, his cat.
Memorial Services for Elmer are scheduled to take place at the Modetz Funeral Home in Orion, MI in early February 2017.
Burial will be next to his late wife, Jane, at Oakland Hills Cemetery, Novi, MI