Kathleen (Sicuranza) Burkett

Kathleen Burkett, 90, Fargo, ND died on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 at Eventide - Fargo.

Kathleen Mary Sicuranza Burkett was born June 15, 1927 to Alfred and Angelina “Lena” (Sieban) Sicuranza Sr.  in Brooklyn, New York. After her mother passed away at a young age, she and her siblings (brothers Alfred, Bernard, John, Michael and sister Ann Marie) were raised in Brooklyn, by their maternal aunts Anna, Margaret and Mary. Kathleen was forever grateful to her loving and dedicated aunts for their significant role in the upbringing of Alfred and Angelina’s children. 
 
During high school, Kathleen spent time teaching catechism, coaching basketball, and volunteering at her Brooklyn Catholic Church “Our Lady of Lourdes.” Upon graduation in 1945, Kathleen worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She then joined the Franciscan Order Convent, and graduated to Novice status before prayer led her to pursue a different vocation: serving our nation. She felt a calling to military service, so she enlisted in the Navy and trained at The Great Lakes Naval Center in Illinois.  After training, she was stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station where she trained and worked as a medical assistant.  She was elected “Guidon Bearer” of her class, and proudly and humbly led her platoon in all formal presentations bearing the United States flag.
 
In 1951 Kathleen met Douglas S. Burkett Sr., a Naval Officer from North Dakota, on the beach in Jacksonville, Florida; they were married on July 28,1951. Being a military family, Kathleen and Douglas frequently moved around the United States with the Navy. After Douglas retired from the Navy in1960 they moved to Jamestown, North Dakota with their four children.  They had two more children in Jamestown and in 1968 moved to West Fargo, North Dakota, where they settled permanently.
 
Kathleen was an avid swimmer and a wonderful cook, and her recipes will live on through her family.  Her greatest passion was living and teaching her Catholic faith: she shared it with her children and grandchildren, taught catechism classes for 20 years, and was a member of the 3rd Order of the Franciscans. Kathleen was a devoted wife and mother whose abundant love, wisdom, deep faith and love of her country created a legacy for all who knew her.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, aunts, four siblings, husband Douglas, daughter Kathy Burkett Hill, and step-granddaughter Angella Mischke.
 
She is survived by her brother Michael (Charlotte) Curan; her children Karen (Mike) Burzette, Michelle (Terry Arp) Burkett, Doug (Judy) Burkett, Angie (Kelly) Pergande, Susan (Steve) Janko; nine grandchildren including Dustin (Lisa) Hill, Tanner (Kim) Joyce, Meghan (Tony) Dingmann, Sarah (Jesse) Hoorelbeke, David (Sarah) Morse, Maria Morse, Libby Morse, Max Pergande, Ross Pergande; 4 step-grandchildren including Staci (Brent) Venables, Brian (Tricia) Morse, Jason Mischke and  Jeremy (Ashley) Hill; and 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her constant companion and caregiver this past year, Carelyn Johnson.
 
Funeral Mass:     Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 3 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo with visitation one hour prior to the Mass.
 
Burial:     Monday, October 9 at 11 am at Dawson Cemetery, Dawson, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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