Brooklyn Park - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mark L. Burton, affectionately known as "Buddy" to his family and friends. Mark was the son of the late Warren Burton and the late Marion Burton (née Herzog) and was preceded in death by his eldest sister, Patricia Kinney (née Burton), and his brother, Raymond Burton. Survived by his siblings, in order of age: Phillip Burton; Loralee "Rosie" Burton and her partner, David; Marcia "Daisy" Vejtruba and her husband David (Buddy's good friend); Jay Burton; and Susan Lambert (née Burton) and her partner Stan, along with nine nieces, a nephew, and their families. After graduating from high school, Mark proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was stationed on the USS Oklahoma City serving in numerous missions to the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam. Following his service, he began a long and successful career at Honeywell, where he worked as a technician on missile guidance systems until his retirement.

In retirement, Mark found great joy and peace spending time at his cabin on the Snake River in Pine City, Minnesota. It was a place where he could relax, enjoy nature, and create lasting memories with those closest to him. Mark will be deeply missed by family and friends. Though the details of his life journey were uniquely his own, his greatest legacy lives on in the love of his family and the enduring bonds of the friendships he built.

Rest in peace, Mark ("Buddy"). You will not be forgotten.

So as one final goodbye and for this obit,

we think that one last rhyme seems so legit.

Surely, you will know, he could always find rhyme,

And it made us all smile through the passing of time.

For most of his life his prose remained steady,

And you knew one was coming, so you best be ready.

His years at the cabin, where the tall pines sway,

where family and friends were always welcomed to stay.

He put out many feeders until another tale would begin,

A backyard battle he was determined to win.

With the squirrels and birds, bears begun to appear,

Buddy tried to stand guard each and every year.

We have many great memories and stories to be told,

Sure to live in our hearts and forever to hold,

As the time rolled on, the words stayed true,

His simple rhymes his friends and family all knew.

Now the years have turned,

and moved on to the final page,

the silence has settled where once was his stage

But...If you listen very close, to the wind in the trees,

you may still hear his voice, ushered in on the breeze.

For somewhere above, if listening is true Buddy,

this poem, was written just for you.