Darlene Burchinal

Darlene Burchinal, 75, Bismarck, died November 30, 2008. Services will be held at 1:30 pm Thursday at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Art Scanson officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, with a time of sharing beginning at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Darlene was born October 11, 1933, the daughter of Calvin and Helen Davis Baird, at Wichita, KS. She and her parents resided in Kechi, KS. She attended elementary school in Kechi, graduating from Wichita High School North in 1951. Darlene married Carrol Burchinal on November 4, 1951, at Kechi, KS. They began their married life in Rockaway Beach, NY, where Carrol was serving in the US Coast Guard. After his discharge from the Coast Guard, they returned to Kansas. During the next few years they lived in various in Kansas while Carrol completed college and followed his profession as an educator. Darlene was a homemaker and mother for a young family. She also earned her college PHT Putting Hubby Through Degree. In 1968 Darlene and Carrol moved to Bismarck. She was employed at Mary College and later at the ND Attorney General’s Office until 1982. She was an avid camper and a life member of the National Campers and Hikers/Family Campers and RVers Association. She held offices at the state, local, and national levels. She served on the organization’s executive board and trustees for twenty-five years, and served as National Recording Secretary. Darlene and Carrol recently entered their 35th year as foster parents, an accomplishment Darlene was extremely proud of. During this time, approximately 260 children received Darlene’s love and care. She was very grateful to have an opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Darlene received many state, local and national awards, including her and Carrol being recognized as the North Dakota Foster/Adopt Parents Association Foster Parents of the Year in 2002 and 2007; several NCHA/FCRV National Awards, and the Bismarck Golden Award in 1986, for her dedication to serving children and the community. Darlene will be dearly missed by her husband of 57 years, Carrol; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Michael of Dickinson, and Brad and Pam of Bismarck; two daughters and one son-in-law, Lisa and Hilary Wald of Bismarck, and Letoya Whitelightning of Bismarck; seven grandchildren, Uriah Burchinal and Sara Helm, Joshua and Missy Burchinal, Chad Burchinal and Stephanie Papka, Tenille and John Hedahl, Mark Wald, Kelsey Wald and Skye Wald; and great grandchildren, Rachel, Taylor, Caleb, Jacob, Mikayla, Makenna, Gyeneveve, Grace, Elijah, and Carter; one brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Kim Baird, Houston, TX, and a special Godson, Andrew Tosseth and family of Bismarck; and the many, many foster children she loved so much. She was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Ezra Burchinal; and a sister-in-law, Ginger Baird. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Darlene’s name to Region 8 Foster Care Coalition, 418 E Broadway, #25, Bismarck, ND, 58501.

Darlene Burchinal

October 11, 1933 - November 30, 2008