Joe Buerkle Obituary

Joe Buerkle of Laramie, Wyoming (82) passed away unexpectedly on February 3rd, 2026 with his children at his side. He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Robert M. Buerkle and Julia K. Buerkle (Bohnsack). He is survived by his sister Roberta Ewersmann of Syracuse, New York, his four children (Darcy Buerkle, Holyoke, Massachusetts; Alex Buerkle, Laramie, Wyoming; Jason Buerkle, Portland, Oregon; and Cole Buerkle, Denver, Colorado), and four grandchildren.

Joe Buerkle went to primary and secondary schools in Jackson, Missouri. Thereafter he completed B.S. and J.D. degrees at the University of Missouri. He was an outstanding athlete and was a scholarship football player at Mizzou, principally playing center on the offensive line, including in bowl games and an All American game with legendary players (Butkus, Staubach, Morton, Sayers, etc.). He remained an avid fan and supporter of Mizzou football, including having strong feelings about residents of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and other states that were home to former Big 8 schools.

The experience of playing college football at the highest level gave him many life-long relationships and informed his outlook. Likewise, growing up in small town Missouri, he had vivid memories that he would readily share of spending time on his grandparents' farm, doing summer construction jobs, throwing the discus in track, playing basketball, and using his large frame to clobber high school opponents as a fullback and linebacker.

Likewise, starting his family with Julia Juden (now Julia Basham, Denver, Colorado) in Columbia, Missouri and then Cape Girardeau, he was surrounded by many friends and extended family. He enjoyed ski and fishing trips with friends, played tennis and racquetball, and enjoyed traveling abroad with his family. As a lawyer in Jackson and later Cape, he helped many families and businesses in the area.

His marriages did not last. When he made serious financial mistakes, some relationships that might have been confused for friendships ended also. True friends remained however. He and his family valued these people greatly. He relocated to the West, making new friendships in Fort Collins, where he found community and hiking partners through a Newcomers group and as an active member of a long-term book club. He became an avid cyclist and regularly rode on the extensive bike path network in Fort Collins. Happiest when everyone was together, he treasured visits with his children and grandchildren, and he was immensely proud of them. He followed their academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits closely.

Most recently he had relocated to Laramie, was becoming an active member of the Regency Retirement community where he was living independently, and was a regular for dinner and weekend visits at his son's house. This was another new beginning for him, with lots of potential and promise, which was cut short with no warning. He was still strong and generally healthy, and we all thought we had more time. His passing was sudden and unexpected, but he was not alone and he felt his family's love.

We are planning gatherings to remember and celebrate our Dad and will announce these at a later date.