Darlene Carol Buerkle

BURLEY – Darlene Carol Buerkle, age 88, of Burley, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, at her home in Burley surrounded by her family.

Darlene was born in El Monte, California, to Alan and Erma Gunderson on October 16, 1937. Erma returned to Idaho with her three children in 1943, after the death of her husband, Alan. Darlene grew up in Paul on the family farm. She attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints growing up, and later attended Ebenezer Congregational Church.

Dar as she was known as, worked on the family farm, milking cows, and helping with every day chores on the farm. Later she worked in a potato processing plant, and drove school bus in Heyburn for many years. She retired from the U.S. Postal service as a rural route carrier.

Dar attended school in Heyburn and graduated from Minico High School in 1956; she was part of the first graduating class at Minico. After high school, she moved to New York with her life-long friend, Jan Foster. While there she worked at a floral shop.

Darlene married the love of her life, Delmore Buerkle, on March 5, 1958. They were married for thirty-two wonderful years. Throughout their marriage they lived in Kulm, North Dakota; Boise, and American Falls, before settling in Heyburn to raise their two children.

Dar was very adventurous and loved to travel. She went to Europe, Washington D.C., and Costa Rica with various friends. She took up river rafting in her 50s. She, alongside many groups of friends, rafted many rivers including the Salmon, Snake River in Hell’s Canyon, and many more. In her later years she spent her winters in Yuma, Arizona, where she met more friends, taking her GEO Tracker running around the desert, golfed, and of course attended the community happy hour.

Darlene is survived by her son Jerry (Lisa) Buerkle; daughter, Teresa Buerkle; son-in-law, George Seiler; five grandchildren, Kill Hitt, Christopher Buerkle, Brady Buerkle, Matthew Muniz, and Garret Muniz; four great-grandchildren, Tianna Timmons, Haven Hitt, Hazley Hitt, and Vance Muniz; three sisters, Verdene Purner, Joanna Kuhn, and RaeDean Douglas; along with many nieces, nephews, and many friends.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, at Paul Cemetery, with a celebration of life following at the Rupert Elks Lodge. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.