Burton Woock

1928 - 2024

Burton Woock, 96, of Hackensack, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.

He was born April 3, 1928, to parents Alfred and Selma (Ness) Woock in Walker and was raised with his sisters Lois and Norma on the family farm in Hackensack. He lived his entire life in Hackensack and was valedictorian of his high school graduating class.

As he grew, he worked on the family farm, cut ice on Ten Mile Lake, delivered ice and milk to surrounding families with a team of horses, cut lumber, built fireplaces and cabins/homes with his father, worked at the family's resort on Ten Mile Lake, and at Woock's Store. Burton was skilled at many trades and started his own plumbing and HVAC business.

Burton was a leader in water testing and water well improvements around Ten Mile Lake. He also maintained many cabins around Ten Mile Lake for their owners. Burton was a lifelong learner who was always interested in having conversations with people from all walks of life. He developed the respect and admiration of many people during his well-lived life.

Burton married Lorraine Olson in 1975. They enjoyed traveling to southern Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, other western states, Canada and overseas visiting their relatives. Burton always had wonderful and enlightening stories about their travels. He lost Lorraine to cancer in 1995 along with his mother "Sally" a few months later. Burton was a loving husband and son, and he took care of both of them as they approached the end of their lives.

In 1997 Burton reconnected with his childhood friend Dorothy "Tiny" (Bostrom) Rich. They lived and traveled together until her death in 2013. Burton also took care of her at the end of her life. Burton once said, "Lorraine taught me how to live, and Tiny gave me a family."

What a family he got, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all loved him very much and were loved in return. Burton loved the Lord, his church family and helping others. He had a wonderful sense of humor and looked forward to getting kisses and hugs from his many "adopted" children.

Burton was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lorraine; sisters Norma and Lois and companion Tiny.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by nieces Rondi Kilham and Alison Olson and their families; his inherited family Pat (Ernie) Opheim, Virginia (Jim) Spain, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren Daniel Falk, Susan Falk and Julie (Falk) Fallgren. He will be dearly missed by all of us.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at Union Congregational Church in Hackensack.

Arrangements are by Whispering Pines Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Hackensack.