Kay Burkel, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Monday, October 20, 2020 at Vibra Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 1:30 PM on Monday, October 26, 2020 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert Officiating. Burial will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery at Thief River Falls, MN. Masks are required and practice social distancing following CDC and Minnesota guidelines.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Kay Lyn Burkel was born on April 2, 1945 in Thief River Falls, MN daughter of Royal and Mildred (Mercil) Ost. She lived in Thief River Falls and attended St. Bernard's Catholic School until the age of 9 when the family moved to Detroit Lakes, MN. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1963. She attended St. Mary's School and received a degree in X-ray Tech. Kay moved to Cloquet where she worked for a couple years before returning to Detroit Lakes.

On April 29, 1967 she was united in marriage to Lowell G. Burkel at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls in 1983 where they raised their family. She attended the AVTI in Thief River Falls and received her degree as a medical transcriptionist. She worked for Northwest Hospital and Dakota Clinic in transcription.

Kay enjoyed reading, adult coloring pages, shopping and buying gifts for family and friends. She also enjoyed going out and socializing but most of all she loved and cherished the time spent with her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and active in bible study groups.

Kay is survived by her loving husband of 53 years Lowell of Thief River Falls, MN;  children Robert Gene (Shelly) Burkel of Thief River Falls, MN and Michael David Burkel of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren Isaiah Medor Burkel of Thief River Falls, MN, Joseph Walter Burkel of Thief River Falls, MN and Noah Robert Burkel of Thief River Falls, MN; along with several nieces and nephews.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents Royal and Mildred Ost; sister Luone Gunderson.