Edward “Burgie” Burgholzer

Edward Joseph Burgholzer (“Burgie”) went to be with our heavenly father on June 4, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 30, 1932. Burgie and his wife Shirley (“the Grizz”) moved to Alaska in 1964, when they homesteaded on Hatcher Pass Mountain in Willow. Burgie retired from the State of Alaska Department of Transportation in 1987 and continued to work for the City of Wasilla until 2013. Burgie’s hobbies included his train set, green house and beautiful property filled with lilac trees. Burgie was a member of the Wasilla VFW, the Elks and Moose of Palmer, the Pioneers of Alaska and the American Legion.

Burgie is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley; daughter, Carol Buban of Montgomery, Illinois; son, Michael Whisman of Wasilla; daughter Mechele Whisman of Seattle, Washington; daughter Melaine Putnam (Jeff) of Wasilla; and daughter, Melinda Hunter (Robbie) of Houston, Alaska. Burgie was also blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burgie has been united in heaven with his mother, father, 11 siblings and his daughter, Kimberly Romo, previously of Aurora, Illinois.

Viewings will be held Monday, June 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, June 14 from 5 to 9 p.m., with the funeral service scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 at 2 p.m. at Legacy Wasilla Heritage Chapel (1015 S. Check Street) in Wasilla. The burial will be held following the funeral service at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wasilla. A celebration of Burgie’s life will follow at the VFW in Wasilla at 6 p.m.