Brian L. Burgess

Obituary

Brian LeRoy Burgess was born on February 27, 1945, in Lansing, Michigan. He was the son of Horace and Opal (Rosebury) Burgess. He received his education in Potterville, Michigan, and was a graduate of the Potterville High School class of 1963. Brian was later baptized as an adult at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota.

On November 15, 1975, Brian was united in marriage to Sharon Kottke at The People’s Church in East Lansing, Michigan. This marriage was blessed with five children, Bret, Broc, Tami, Beth, and Ridge. Brian and Sharon made their home in the small town of Cosmos, Minnesota. They shared the most amazing 50 years of marriage.

Brian has an employment history that included Sales Manager at Ski-Rule Snowmobiles, Real Estate, and Home Renovation. Brian finished out his career at 3M, where he got to work with multiple family members and create many long-lasting friendships. He worked at 3M for 20 years before his retirement on June 1, 2009.

Brian and Sharon shared the love of travel! Which included going to local auctions where they would find interesting treasures including rare wood pieces which he would creatively use in his workshop. They enjoyed going to the casino, where the coffee was free and the nickels were (hopefully) flowing! They enjoyed going down to Missouri to watch the lunar eclipse, up to North Dakota to visit friends, and traveling over to Michigan any chance they could!

Brian enjoyed a variety of board games, card games, and outdoor games in which he was often bested by Sharon and the grandkids (Hand and Foot, LCR, and P.I.G. on the basketball court).

Brian painstakingly and lovingly made personalized gifts and keepsakes for each member of his family. He was an exceptional woodworker and craftsman.

Throughout Brian’s free time, he enjoyed woodworking, playing and watching golf, traveling, sports (both professional and any his children/grandchildren were enrolled in) and family get togethers which often included bbq-ing or large pancake breakfasts. He especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, family, grandchildren/great grandchildren, and friends.

Brian passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 80 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Brian is survived by his:
Wife, Sharon Burgess of Cosmos, MN;
Children, Bret Burgess and his wife, Theresa of Caledonia, MI,
Broc Burgess and his wife, Joelle of Charlotte, MI,
Tami Nelson and her husband, Travis of Hutchinson, MN,
Beth Imbuzeiro and her husband, Vitor of Northville, MI,
Ridge Burgess and his wife, Stefanie of Willmar, MN;
Grandchildren, Lauren (Bretton) Kooistra, Brady Smith, Alex (Hope) & Ashley (Connor) Nelson, Laryssa & Juliana & Nate Imbuzeiro, Ellie & Mason (Ava) & Evan Burgess;
Great-Grandchildren, Westlynn & Callum Kooistra:
Cat: Krissy Kringle.

Brian is preceded in death by his Parents, Horace and Opal Burgess; Sisters, Sandy (Raymond) Alchin, Suzanne (Jerry) Klont.