Sophia Buerkley

Sophia G. Buerkley, 84, Kulm, ND, passed away Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Jamestown, ND, with her loving family by her side.

Sophia Gertrude was born August 27, 1940, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, ND, the 11th of 16 children born to Vincent Paul and Anna Mary (Busch) Hoffarth.

She was raised on the family farm in Alexander Township, Pierce Co, ND, southwest of Esmond. She attended the Strasburg #1 and #2 country schools and later obtained her GED.

Sophia was united in marriage to Wilfred Thomas “Willie” Muscha, December 10, 1958, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond. They had nine children together. Willfred passed away July 4, 1985.

Sophia remarried Frederick Martin Buerkley, August 27, 1989, in Reno, NV.

Sophia was employed by several restaurants, Hornbacher’s Café, Harvey, ND; Club 94, English’s, Gordy’s Diner, all in Casselton and a couple hospitals, St. Aloisius, Harvey, ND and Dakota Hospital, in Fargo, ND. She was also a road flagger for Borders States and Anderson Western.

Sophia was an excellent cook, especially German dishes, potato salad, cole slaw, cabbage rolls, kase knoephla, borscht, strudels, sloppy joes, and baking cookies, kuchen, buns, pies, bread and her famous caramel rolls. She baked for her husband, family, friends, neighbors and church events.

She was devoted to her husband, “Her Freddie,” as she called him, her children and grandchildren. The love that she and Freddie had for each other was unmeasurable. They were a perfect pair.

Sophia is survived by her husband of 35 years, Frederick “Freddie” Buerkley; daughter, Margaret “Peggy” (Bryant) Schmidt, Minot, ND; sons, James (Joy) Muscha, Fridley, MN; Timothy (Jody) Muscha, St Paul Park, MN; Joseph (Debby) Muscha, Williston, ND; Daniel (Leslie) Muscha, South Fargo, ND; Bruce (Sheila) Muscha, Forest Lake, MN; Estagen Zimmerman (mama called him her son); sisters, Bernadine (Robert) Mittelbach, Camas WA; Rosa (Raymond) Hager, Portland, OR; Nadine (Mick Wirth) Appelt, Fairview, OR; grandchildren, Tiffany, Collette, Paula, David, Janel, Bradley, Kalissa, Jessica, Christopher, Tyler, Cruz, Kelly, Melinda, Cody and Shelby; step-grandchildren, Douglas, Joshua, Austin, Jeremy, Travis, Tracy, Michael, Shandy, Tiffany, Zach, Breanna, Jeremy, Jamie; 57 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by first husband, Wilfred, “Willie” Muscha (1985); children, Cary Muscha (2015), Willfred “Billy” Muscha (1964), Kelly Muscha (2007); parents, Vincent (1970), and Anna Mary Hoffarth (1969); brothers, Vincent I. P. Hoffarth (1929), James J. Hoffarth (1948), Vincent F. (Jean) Hoffarth (2005); sisters, Angeline (Anton) Schneider (2001), Wilhelmina (Alvin) Sundeen (2003), Delores Hoffarth (1928), Anna Mary (Estagen) Zimmerman (2024), Isabella Harris (2002), Helen (Francis) Bingham (2006), Regina (Alton) Johnson (2021, Lydia Hoffarth (1937), Stella (Martin) Kuntz (2006); fathers-in law, and mothers-in-law, Joseph and Margaret (Holzer) Muscha and Fredrick and Christine (Buerkle) Buerkley.

VISITATION-6-7 PM, Friday, June 20, 2025, First Congregational Church, 11 1st Ave SE, Kulm, ND.

PRAYER SERVICE-7 PM, Friday, June 20, 2025, Friday, June 20, 2025, First Congregational Church, 11 1st Ave SE, Kulm, ND.

FUNERAL SERVICE-10:30 AM, Saturday, June 21, First Congregational Church, 11 1st Ave SE, Kulm, ND. Cremation to follow.

INURNMENT-At a later date.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE FAMILY. A CROWD FUNDING PAGE HAS BEEN ESABLISHED BELOW TO ASSIST THE FAMILY.