Burke Severyn, 84

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 - 08:18:37 am CST

Burke Severyn, 84, of Pierre formerly Vivian, died Sunday, Nov. 29 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation is from 5-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, at Maryhouse Chapel in Pierre followed by prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Vivian Lutheran Church with burial at Vivian Cemetery.

Burke Severyn joined one brother and three sisters on July 2, 1925, in Rural Kennebec, the son of Adolph and Pearl (Dowell) Severyn. At the age of 2 he moved with his family to their farm south of Vivian where he spent many years.

He attended Sioux School and graduated from Draper High School in 1943. He helped on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army in March 1945. Burke served in the Korean War as a Medic Staff Sgt.

Burke was united in marriage to Lillian Knudtson on Oct. 2, 1947, at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary two months ago. They were blessed with five sons. Burke continued farming and in 1964, he became the Post Master in Vivian for 28 years.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Vivian Lutheran Church where he was a life long member and served on the church board. He received his 60-year pin from the American Legion. He was a member of the Napois Postal Service and Lutheran Brotherhood and for the last two years he was a volunteer reading buddy. Burke enjoyed country music all his life and his stamp collection, playing poker with the Parkwood boys, bingo and especially his family.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis since he was 39, he showed his grit by accepting what was dealt to him and continued to support and care for this family with his love and support.

Burke and Lillian moved in to Parkwood Apartments in 2006 where they enjoyed all the friendly residents and staff. He enjoyed his “cart” which gave him much independence zipping down the hall for coffee and sharing life stories. Burke left his health issues behind.

Burke is survived by his wife, Lillian; sons, Dan and Terry Severyn, of Vivian, Curt and Terri Severyn, of Pierre, Joe and Wanda Severyn, of Pierre, Mark Severyn of San Antonio, Texas, and Vance Severyn, of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Jayme (Makayla) Severyn, of Custer, Leigh Severyn, of Draper, Ashley (Megan) Severyn, of Vivian, Britta Severyn, of Stockholm Sweden, Blake Severyn, of Fargo, N.D., Laura Severyn of Pierre, Brandon and Burke Severyn, of San Antonio, Texas, Tiffany and Brooke Severyn, of Denver, Colo., Shane (Carolyn) Severyn, of Pierre and Kelly Kidd, of Vancouver, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Zayne Severyn, of Custer, Katelyn Junker, of Vancouver, Wash., and Lane, Kaitlyn, Erin, Kodi and Kayli Severyn, of Pierre; and one sister, Marjorie Schmidt of N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Severyn; and two sisters, Louise Harris and Marilyn Pittman.

Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, Vivian Lutheran Church or World Hunger.

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Comments

6 comment(s)

Lillian Severyn wrote on Dec 4, 2009 8:49 PM:

" Heartfelt thanks for your prayers and good wishes. "

jude wrote on Dec 4, 2009 7:34 AM:

" will miss talking to him at my store at the mall and to see his smile hugs to his wife j "

Larry Steckelberg wrote on Dec 3, 2009 6:00 PM:

" Our condolences.

I knew Dan, Curt, & Joe. I was a high school basketball opponent from Chamberlain and later a friend at Black Hills State.

Best wishes! LarrySteckelberg "

marilyn agneaux wrote on Dec 3, 2009 4:29 PM:

" my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of loss. "

Jodi Hartmann wrote on Dec 3, 2009 4:28 PM:

" We were happy to have been able to help with Burke's care and will miss him. He was a very sweet soul who taught us a lot about how to live in whatever circumstances you're given. God Bless, from St. Mary's Home Health "

Karen wrote on Dec 3, 2009 4:25 PM:

" Burke was a great man I will miss him---
my prayers are with you all at this time.
Thank You for sharing him with ME.
Karen Maciejewski "

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