Doris Burggraff

Doris Burggraff, 80, long-time resident of Onamia, passed away on July 23, 2010 surrounded by her three loving daughters. Doris is survived by her daughters, Connie (Gary) Westeen of Woodbury, Linda (John) Mielke of Inver Grove Heights, and Kathryn (Jon) Anderson of Minneapolis; grandchildren Leslee (Steven) Johns, Erik Westeen (Meghann Welch), Melissa (Sam) McBride, Brady Mielke, and Carly and Elena Anderson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, George; her parents; and 11 brothers and sisters. Doris was born on October 1, 1929 on the family farm in Rice River Township to Warner and Hilma (Ulvi) Bodie. The youngest of 10 surviving children, she attended grade school in McGregor and later moved with her parents to Cloquet where she completed high school. She was united in marriage to George Burggraff on July 16, 1949. The couple moved to the Mille Lacs area when George accepted a teaching position at Onamia High School in 1956, and they remained in Onamia for the rest of their days, raising their three girls, cultivating life-long friendships, and making the community their home. For 10 years, Doris was a caregiver to her widower father who moved in with the family in 1966. She also worked part-time at Maxine’s Gift & Variety Store and for many years at the Onamia Drug Store (better known by her grandchildren as “Ama’s Treat Store”). But there was really only one job in life that mattered to her, and that was giving her heart and soul to being a mother to Connie, Linda and Katy—and later, being the very best Ama in the world to her six precious grand-babies—and those were roles she performed selflessly. There was nothing she loved more than spending time with her family, and one thing was certain: When Ama was around, no one ever went away hungry. After the death of her husband in 2007, Doris moved to Lake Song Assisted Living where she resided with her faithful friend, her kitty Scooter, until her passing. The family thanks Lake Song staff and residents for their friendship and support during the last two-and-a-half years and especially during the final four weeks of Doris’ life. Thanks also to the MLHS team for their care. Those who mourn Doris remember her for her unassuming nature, her quiet generosity, and her gracious spirit, knowing fully that “grief is the purest evidence that we have loved and loved well.”

Tributes

Doris Burggraff

October 1, 1929 - July 23, 2010