Allen B. Burkart

Allen B. Burkart entered heaven to be with Jesus, his mom, dad and brother on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 after a long battle with heart, liver and kidney failure. He was 64 years old. "Big Al" was an avid fisherman of Lake Michigan trout and salmon when he was well. Many days you would see him at the end of the south pier in Manitowoc, just right of dead center. If someone was in "his" spot, they had better get used to being cozy with Allen as he would brazenly almost sit on their lap. His passion for fishing was evident in every aspect of his life, from his truck to his wagon for pulling fishing equipment to his collection of rods. He had many good fishing friends and enjoyed his time with them joking around. He also enjoyed fishing for perch in Little Sturgeon. Al was a lifetime member of NEWGLSF and a longtime member of the Manitowoc Gun Club among others.

Al's favorite job was working at St. Andrew's Catholic Church as the custodian for elementary students. He took great pride in taking wonderful care of the building and loved seeing the smiling faces of the young children, many of which still recognized him. He also worked at Specialty Foods, Calvary Cemetery, Chick a Rib and Pizza Garden. His most recent job was the maintenance man at McDonald's on Hecker Road in Manitowoc where he met the love of his life, Pam, in the summer of 2012 where she was working for the summer. He finally asked her out in 2013, proposed in 2016 and got married in 2020. They enjoyed a relatively short married life together; however, they loved each other deeply and enjoyed many activities together. Al had a great sense of humor and a quick wit that not everyone got to see, however it was obvious to his wife. Her love/support of him is undeniable and unquestionable.

He was also a gardener and could grow the best cantaloupes in the neighborhood! He shared many with family and friends as one person can only eat so many and his wife doesn't care for cantaloupe. He also enjoyed mowing the lawn and watching birds at the many feeders he maintained. Al had a gift to fix things and was meticulous in what he did. He honed his gift from watching his father and his grandfather; he could repair almost anything. Buying anything new was rare when the old could be fixed.

Al was preceded in death by his mom, June, his dad Fran and his older brother, David. He is survived by his loving wife, Pam, and his sister, Debbie (Ken) Cracraft. He is also survived by two stepsons, Cody Martin and David (Kye) Draki along with (soon to be) 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Larry & Mickey Burkart, Larry & Mary Cherney, Darlene Roedig and Judy Van along with many cousins, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Lakeshore Life Celebration Center, 3613 Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Matthew Sauer. Relatives and friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Calvary Mausoleum.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, his nurse Sammy, for the care and compassion shown to Allen.