Lori Lee Burckhard

Lori Lee (Pottenger) Burckhard, born to Kenneth and Ida Lee Pottenger July 7, 1959 in Yakima, Washington went to be with Our Lord on November 25, 2012 in Yakima at the age of 53 from cardiac arrest.

Lori was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes at age 7. She courageously persevered through the many challenges and complications and complications that the diabetes brought throughout her life. In addition, she was diagnosed with heart disease approximately 10+ years ago. The Lord blessed us with more years Lori than her doctors or we, her family, thought possible. Loris was so very close with her maternal grandmother, Elsie O”Mohundro and suffered her loss as a second grader. Our dear friends Gaylord and Val Newby helped fill the void in Lori’s life as grandparents. Lori will be deeply missed. We will rejoice in Heaven when we are reunited.

Lori graduated from Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Washington in 1977 where she was involved in concert and marching bands and was selected to play her clarinet in the music productions at the Warehouse Theatre. She then was accepted to Seattle Pacific University, Along with her childhood friend Debbie (George) Maclurg, to pursue a career as a surgical nurse. However, after 3+ years at SPU she was unable to continue her career choice due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Since Lori had been employed by Living Care Center, LLC at North Shore Manor in Bothel, Washington while attending SPU, she chose to transfer to Yakima and became manager of their Senior Retirement Apartments. Lori had tremendous compassion and love for her “little old people” during her 25 years of employment.

As a teenager Lori enjoyed snow skiing and became an avid reader and remained so throughout her life. As an adult she enjoyed camping with her husband of 20 years, Robert “Bob” Burckhard and their beloved dogs that she considered her “Babies” ( and they knew it!)

Lori toured Europe for six weeks as a young adult. Then in more recent years together with her husband Bob, his daughter Kathy, husband Mike and Their daughter Hannah, they took their motor homes and hit the road for a 2 week trip through multiple states. She also went to Seaside Oregon with mom, dad and “LIL SIS BREN”. Then in 2010 Lori enjoyed Christmas in Hawaii with her family which she considered a “Trip of a Life Time”!!

Rebekah Ross, cousin and close friend was such a blessing to Lori on a daily basis. Also a blessing, were cousins Ed Pottenger and Pauletta Champ as well as her uncle Joe Pottenger.

She is survived by her husband Robert “Bob” Burckhard, parents Kenneth and Ida Lee Pottenger, sisters Deborah Thompson and Brenda (Glenn) oord, several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, grand nephew and step grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in Lori’s name to the Humane Society, Heart Association, Diabetes Association or living Care Centers, LLC.

Funeral services will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Concluding services and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. To celebrate the life of Lori and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.