A Celebration of Life Service for Arlene Burks, age 85, of Lakefield, will be held Friday, January 30th at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakefield, with a time of visitation and gathering one hour prior to the service from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Burial will be held at a later date.

Arlene Marie (Wilson) Burks was born on September 5, 1940, in Worthington, Minnesota, to Alvin Russell and Eunice Beatrice (Beers) Wilson. Family was at the center of Arlene's life. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply and found great joy in keeping up with their lives and activities, always taking pride in each of them.

Arlene was the owner of the Squeeze Inn, a beloved restaurant in Lakefield, Minnesota, where she was known as the friendly face behind its success. She truly enjoyed the people who frequented the restaurant, forming connections that made it a welcoming place for many. Her family often laughed at the irony that, while she owned a restaurant, she did not particularly enjoy cooking. Later in life, Arlene worked as a pharmacy technician, continuing her commitment to serving others.

On November 25, 2000, Arlene married Richard Burks in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the expansion of the family, Arlene enjoyed family time. In her quieter moments, Arlene enjoyed collecting frogs and figurines of all kinds, a reflection of her playful spirit. She was a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

On Saturday, January 17, Arlene passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by the comfort of familiar surroundings and a life well lived.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Richard Burks; two daughters, Jill (fiancé Kevin Guess) Cockell of California and Roxann (Chuck) Ross of Colorado; grandchildren, Kyle Cockell and Emily Cockell; stepchildren, Laurie (Ryan) Phillips of Linn Grove, Iowa, Jon Burks of Yankton, South Dakota, Aaron Burks of Lakefield, Minnesota, and Joey Burks of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; step grandchildren, Jacob (Kacey), Jenni (Jonathan), Isaac, Ivy, Indie, Piper, Finnley, Sarah, Zander, Clohe, and Aubry; brothers, Pete (Mary) Wilson of Minneapolis and Ken (Sonya) Wilson of Texas; nieces and nephews, Samantha, Sophie, Sara, Ashley, Levi, and Riley; dear friends, Sylvia Hasara and Shirley Nellis; along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren, Autumn and Ali.