Obituary of Joe Tatkenhorst

View Video Tribute Longtime Burlington, Colorado mechanic and tow truck driver died unexpectedly on December 28, 2006 in the emergency room at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. He was 60 years old. Joe was born on December 10, 1946 in Stratton, Colorado to Luther and Jewell (Stowe) Tatkenhorst. He was one of four children. Joe attended school in Seibert and graduated from Denver Automotive College in 1965. On December 5, 1965, Joe married Carol Jean Bishop at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington. To this union two children were born; Jay and Lea Ann. Along with Joe’s love for his job, he was also a member of the Burlington United Methodist Church and the Towing Association (TRPC). He also loved antique cars, was an avid Nascar and Denver Bronco fan, he loved making inventions with his grandson, he enjoyed playing “Mr. Fix-Itâ€?, going camping and most of all he loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and his pets. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Roy and their family’s German Shepherd dog, Abby, of 13 years. He is survived by his wife Carol of the home, one son Jay Tatkenhorst and Della Purviance of Burlington and their children Jessi Marie Tatkenhorst, Chelsea Marie Purviance and Dustin James Purviance; a daughter Lea Ann Sircy and her husband Jason of Burlington and their children Jacob Douglas Cole and Mitchell David Sircy. He is also survived by two sisters Alma Dove and her husband Marvin of Linwood, Kansas and Bonnie Larsen and her husband Kay of Beverly Hills, Florida, and a very very close friend Dean Gilliland and his children Sheila Piovarcy and Sommer Hornung. Memorial services for Joe were held on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Burlington United Methodist Church with Reverend Tom Peacock officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Joe’s name to any of the following organizations; the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, the Burlington Police Department, the Kit Carson County Ambulance Service, the Kit Carson County Sheriff’s Department or to the Colorado Highway State Patrol and may be left at the Bank of Burlington in Burlington, Colorado.