Obituary of Jack Burkell
Amos William John Burkell, known as Jack or Jake, was born in Yorkton, SK to Bill and Alice Burkell on October 7, 1944, the middle child of 3 boys. Jack grew up on the family farm 8.5 miles east of highway 9 on the Mehan Road. Jack attended Wallace school, Yorkton Collegiate Institute and Yorkton Composite High School, graduating in 1963. During high school, he met his future wife, Joyce Klingman. He was President of the Student Council in his senior year. He played football, volleyball and basketball. He was on the school curling team and the gymnastics(tumbling) team.
Following graduation, he worked for the Yorkton Sask Wheat Pool Livestock Division for 2 years. He then worked briefly with Health of Animals with Dr. Konkin, High Tower (contractor to Sask Power), Esterhazy Potash Mines on construction as well as on an oil well in Northern Alberta before venturing home to help on the family farm where he proudly worked for 57 years.
Jack and Joyce were married on June 27, 1969 and resided on the farm. In 1975 they welcomed their son Scott into their lives. Jack farmed with his dad and brother Craig on Parkwood Farm for many years (which was started in 1903 by Jacks great grandfather). It was a mixed farm with grain and black angus cattle. In 1999, Jack was recognized for 50 years of breeding Angus cattle. In 2016, the farm was recognized as Saskatchewan Angus Breeder of the year. In 2023, Jack was recognized with a 75-year plaque from the Canadian Angus Association. And in October of 2024, Jack was recognized as the Honorary President of the Saskatchewan Angus Association. When Scott and Amanda Joined the team, Scott wanted to begin selling purebred livestock and Jack’s first bull sales were at Double C Red Angus and Swan Hills Ranch. He proudly led his bulls through the ring in Yorkton, with his fellow rancher and dear friend Lorne at his side. After numerous years of selling bulls at multiple locations, the farm joined forces with the Frick’s and Hollinger’s to start the Blue-Collar Bull Sale. Jack was an integral part of 18 Annual Bull Sales. Jack was also proud to show and sell heifers at the Harvest Showdown for almost all of the 35 years it has ran.
Jack was leader of the Yorkton 4H Club for a number of years while Scott was a member of the club. His family was most important to him. Jack was happiest attending Scott’s activities. If it was at all possible, Jack was in the stands cheering him on at football, hockey or curling. One of his favourite seasons of hockey he coached along side his buddy Randy.
He loved golfing and curling with his best friends. There wasn’t a rink or golf course for miles around that he hadn’t been to at some point over the years. He attended Briers from Kamloops, BC to St. John’s, NFLD. He travelled to many destinations over the years with his wife and friends. He was always a busy man. He served on the Tonkin Curling Club board and was President for planning and construction of the addition to the rink. Jack was a humble man, friendly and loved spending time with his best buds.
Jack was a farmer at heart. He loved the land. He would step outside, sniff the air and proclaim “its finally Spring”. The farm (Parkwood Farm) was his favourite place, surrounded by acres of trees and pastures. At the age of 80, he would still go out most mornings to open gates while they fed cattle or bedded and would still get in the tractor to harrow whenever he could. Jack cherished his coffee times and meals in between working with his family.
These past few years Jack was especially proud as Katie, Landon and Macy began helping out on the farm and registering their own purebred cattle. He loved helping them throughout the years with all their 4H projects. He sat proud in the stands and cheered them on at all of their sporting and extra curricular activities.
Jack will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and all of his friends. Jack was predeceased by his father Bill Burkell, his mother Alice Burkell, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Sadie and Cecil Klingman, sister-in-law Roberta Burkell, sisters in law and brothers in law Cal and Dorothy Milgaard and Paul and Jean Hovrisko, and nephew in law Darryl Rock. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memories his wife of 55 years, Joyce; son and daughter in law Scott & Amanda Burkell and his grandchildren Katie, Landon and Macy Burkell; brother Craig(Marilyn) Burkell; brother Keith Burkell; nephews and nieces, Donna Rock and children Ally and Kody; Barb (Lionel) Woytas and daughter Grace; Patty(Kirby) Stewart and children Jeffrey, Riley and Tyler; Dale Burkell and children Caleb and Lily; Jami(Darren) Swart and children Emmett and Tanner; Todd(Morag Townsend) Burkell and daughter Prudence; Michelle Hovrisko Klimchuk and children Jayme and Morgan; Marlin(Melodie) Hovrisko and daughter Alexa; Wes (Sheryl) Milgaard and children Christian and Nolan; and Brad Milgaard, as well as numerous cousins and a wide circle of friends.
