Harold "H.D." Burks

Harold Dean Burks grew up in a very rapidly changing time in America. He was born in the post-Great Depression era on Oct. 1, 1937 in Columbia, Mo. to Silas J. Burks and Leila R. Weyand. During his formative years, the country was coming off World War II and a period of self-confidence and independence took hold in the 1950s, both traits that could describe H.D. His only brother, Silas J. Burks, Jr., and two sisters, Betty and Thelma, have all passed on. He is survived by his sister Carolyn, who lives in Missouri. While he was in high school in Sedgwick, Kan., he was working during one summer for a custom harvesting crew that traveled around the region. When he returned, he found that his family had moved back to Missouri. Instead of following them, he remained in Kansas, staying with his basketball coach during that school year. After high school, H.D. spent two years (1957-1959) in the Army, including a stint in Germany. After he returned from the service, H.D. met Donna Roberts in Newton. In 1961, H.D. and Donna were married in the Harvey County Courthouse by Judge Sturm. They lived in Sedgwick, where H.D. began working as a truck driver for Groendike. While in Kansas, H.D. and Donna had five children, starting with Darrel and followed by Connie, Lori, Larry and Steve. H.D. began driving for Consolidated Freightways out of Wichita, Kan. in the late 1960s. In 1971, he was transferred to North Platte, Neb. and the family settled in Maywood, Neb. Thus began his love for the Huskers. H.D. was transferred to Lincoln, Neb. in 1981 and the family found a home in Ceresco. After more than 30 years as a trucker and proud Teamster, he retired in 1998. Retirement did not keep HD from behind the wheel as he and Donna began their RV travels. Taking trips to visit kids and grandkids in Michigan, Missouri and Arizona. The pair would spend several winters in Arizona. While back in Nebraska, H.D. spent time helping his buddy Dennis Johnson at his shop. He would work on and transport a lot of heavy equipment. He was also Dennis’ plus one for many steam engine events. Their nomadic life stopped once Donna became ill and Harold was her main caregiver. Once Donna passed in March of 2010, H.D. spent a few months traveling again to see his family. He was in Arizona in November of 2010 when he received word that his Ceresco home had caught fire and was damaged beyond repair. He did bounce back from that only to suffer from a debilitating stroke in January of 2011. In late 2011, H.D. returned to Ceresco where he and Darrel resided on Oak St. Darrel was his primary care giver for his remaining years. He also made a great friend in Racheal Meduna when she would come care for him. Harold’s quick wit a dry sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew him. He is survived by his five children: Darrel Burks, of Ceresco; Connie (Merlen) Borgialli, of Marquette, Mich.; Lori (Mike) Wech, of Galena, Mo.; Larry (Katie) Burks, of West Chester, Ohio; and Steve (Jennifer) Burks, of Gilbert, Ariz. H.D. was blessed with nine grandchildren, Tara (Rosa) Clay, of Albany, Ore.; Ashley (Andy) Belcher, of Springfield, Mo.; Savannah (Thomas) Thatcher, of Lawrence, Kan.; Haley (Brooks) Blanton, of Fort Smith, Ark.; Nick Borgialli, of Marquette, Mich.; Cade Burks, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Avery Burks, of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Tom Burks and Jack Burks, of West Chester, Ohio. He also had 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna (Roberts) Burks. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in H.D.’s name to Saunders County Lost Pets, 226 W. 5th St., Wahoo, NE 68066. Also, donations can be sent to Operation Roger Truckers Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 522, Joshua, TX 76058. More info at operationroger.com. Services will be limited to family only at Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home in Wahoo, Nebraska. A celebration of H.D.’s life is being planned in the near future.