Services for Jerry Burgen, 91, Lawrence, will be held at 10 am on Monday, September 14, 2026 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the service begins.
Jerry passed away on September 7, 2026.
He was born on December 28, 1934 in Topeka, Kansas the son of Kenneth and Hazel Burgen. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1953.
He married JoAnn Peek on June 4, 1955 in Topeka Kansas. They lived in Lawrence, Kansas starting in 1965 and shared 66 years of devotion and family.
Jerry served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956 on active duty in Korea. After returning to Camp Irwin, California, he transferred to the Army Reserve in the Kansas Military District until he was honorably discharged in 1961.
At a young age, Jerry started working, including selling newspapers and helping his father with various jobs. He had a strong work ethic throughout his life. While at Farmland Industries, he started as a fitter foreman and rose to the Maintenance Superintendent at the fertilizer plant in Lawrence, Kansas. He retired from his career at Farmland Industries after 31 years in 1996.
He is survived by his children Ron Burgen (Linda), Don Burgen (Wendy), Kirk Burgen, and Michelle Countess (Keith), 16 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn Burgen, his daughter JoDena Cron, his son Eric Burgen, grandchildren Zachary Countess and Cody Burgen, his parents Kenneth and Hazel Burgen, and his brothers Kenneth and Leon Burgen.
