Debra Kay Burck, age 60 of Bismarck, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 at the CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck after a brief illness.   Due to the current pandemic, a private family graveside service is scheduled with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.

DEBRA KAY BURCK was born February 28, 1960 at The Bismarck Hospital, Bismarck, ND.  She was the second of four daughters born to William G. and Marian O. (Dockter) Burck.  She lived with her family in Steele, ND prior to moving to Hettinger, ND.

Debbie attended the Hettinger Public School where she was enrolled in special education classes.  Later, she moved to Rapid City, SD to further life skill education at the Black Hills Workshop.  She was welcomed into a private home with a loving family to help her with this new transition.  There she met many friends and was involved in Special Olympics.   She later moved to Bismarck, ND and became a client with Enable, Inc. and Pride Industries.  She lived in a group home learning additional skills.  With years of hard work, determination, and her mom cheering her on, she progressed to living in an apartment with a roommate and eventually living independently in her own apartment.

Up to the time of her death, Debbie worked on the NISH crew with Pride, Inc. in janitorial services at the Post Office and Federal building.  She would have celebrated 30 years with that job next March.  She was relentless and reliable, very seldom missing a shift.  She was proud to be a volunteer Saturday afternoons at the Mandan Eagles Club, wrapping silverware.

Debbie was special in so many ways.  She taught us so much, when we thought we knew more than she did.  She was her own person: strong willed, compassionate, independent, fun loving, and a friend to everyone.  She was an enthusiast of routine and never forgot a name.  She had a strong relationship with God.  She knew that people who bullied were the ones hurting and she prayed for them.  Her family was her world and Christmas her favorite holiday.  She was a Minnesota Vikings fan and her joy for life was unending.  She always saw an opportunity to have a picture taken and her collection of yesterday's photos were her most treasured possession.

Family was so important to Debbie.  After the loss of her mom ten months ago, she established routine weekly phone appointments with each of her sisters.  She longed to learn how each family member was doing.  The love for her nieces and nephews was unwavering.  She predicted the genders of the upcoming new great niece and nephew and spoke of these new family members often.  She loved nothing more than seeing family and was thrilled that she could share some of her holidays with her cousin, Staci.

She had many circles of friends that she cherished.  The staff (Ashley, Biana, and Chris) from Enable, Inc. became family to her as they guided her through life. She trusted, loved and respected them fiercely.   Everyone she met became an instant friend with many lifetime friendships.  She spoke of friends from work, TOPS, First Baptist Church, and the Mandan Eagles Club.

Her many interests included jig saw puzzles, playing games on her computer, watching TV, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, traveling and dancing.  She was a member of TOPS and First Baptist Church of Bismarck.  She never missed a Saturday evening at the Mandan Eagles Club and worshiping with her church family Sunday mornings.

She is survived by her sisters:  Tamara (Kevin) Schneider, Hettinger, ND; Tracy (Dion) Rosenow, Harding County, SD; and Ronda (Christ) Stang, Hettinger, ND; seven nieces and nephews: Billie (Jasper) Jacobson, Annie Freeberg, Matthew (Brooke) Schneider, Chris (Renu) Eide, Shaun (friend, Stephanie) Bonomo, Amanda (Eric) Fauske, and Mariah (George) Pieros; seven great nieces and nephews: Jaxon, Danica, Spencer, Reed, Oliver, Ryan, and Zen; her aunt, Betty (Arlin) Bartels; uncles, Duane (Lois) Dockter, Paul Meyers and George Bales, numerous cousins, friends, and staff personnel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William G. and Marian O. Burck, great niece Adalyn, paternal and maternal grandparents; several aunts and uncles; cousin, Mark Stack; and numerous friends.

We would like to thank the many people that showed love and kindness to Debbie throughout her life.

He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 306 E Divide Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 or cards can be mailed to Tammy Schneider, PO Box 1148, Hettinger ND  58639.