Mary Burger

Graveside Funeral Services for Mary Burger, 83-year-old Buffalo resident who passed away Monday morning at the Casper Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Casper will be held Monday, June 23, at 10:00 in Willow Grove Cemetery. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the Casper Mountain Rehabilitation Center at 4305 South Poplar in Casper, Wyoming 82601.  Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Mary was born on June 30, 1941.  From her first breath, creativity followed her wherever she went.  She was an artist, a wordsmith, and an old-school hustler and entrepreneur.  She was fiercely independent and determined and had an abiding faith in God.

Kuka, as she was known to her family, was constantly sewing, writing, painting, or entertaining. She also had a love of music and singing.  She painted right up until Alzheimer’s stripped her of the ability to transfer her ideas to the canvas. 

Together with her husband Dick, she had a hand in starting several successful businesses in Buffalo including the Montgomery Wards Store, the Serendipity Shop, The Donut Shop and building the Cimarron Mall.  After moving with her family to San Diego, she successfully managed several Coldwell Banker Real Estate offices for over 25 years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Hunt Songer and Francis LeRoy Songer, her brother Henry “Pat” Songer, and her husband Richard “Dick” Burger.

She is survived by her beloved sister Betty and Ray Garland of Buffalo, Wyoming; children Rich and Anne Burger of Windsor, Colorado; Randy Burger of San Diego, California; Kelle Burger of Casper, Wyoming; and Kayla Burger and Andre Pate of Ogden, Utah. And her favorites the Grands and Greats: Joe, Sarah, Emberly and Alistair Zigmont; Erin, DeNae and Brecklee Schoel; Randall Burger and Mika Klunk; Jacob Morales and AJ Pate.

She is also survived by her care family at Casper Mountain Rehab who loved her and cared for her the last few years of her life. Kuka’s last painting was called “Those Who Wander”.  She never finished it.  We like to think that was because she knew her winding path would never end.