Gail Larson was born Oct. 19, 1922, at Pine Point Township, Ponsford, Minn., the daughter of Henry and Grace (Palmer) Larson. She grew up there and attended country school, receiving her eighth grade diploma from Detroit Lakes, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Ponsford Evangelical Lutheran Church. She married Albert Buerkley of Fredonia, N.D., on Sept. 26, 1941, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Ponsford. In 1942, they purchased a farm in Henrietta Township, west of Dorset, Minn., where they farmed, including logging, cattle, swine and poultry. They spent summers in the Jamestown area for the past 20 years. She lived on the farm until 2007, when she moved into Heritage Living Center. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), Dorset, the Ruth Circle, LWML, youth choir director, Active Christian Teens leader, and served on the Altar Guild. She created more than 30 banners that were used in the church. She was a Hubbard County 4-H leader for 10 years; a member of Park Rapids Eagles 870 Auxiliary, and Sister Eagle of the Year in 1999. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, traveling, embroidery, quilting, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting and sewing.

She is survived by a daughter, Lila (Ken) Kalish, Park Rapids; three sons, Henry (Mary), St. Francis, Minn., Donald (Sandy), Cumberland, Wis., and Conrad, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Erma Momb; and two brothers, Palmer and Dean.

Services: 1 p.m. Saturday, First English Lutheran Church, Dorset, with the Rev. Chris Davis officiating.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids.

Burial: Henrietta Township Cemetery, Dorset.

Jamestown Sun - (Feb/26/2009)