Aleah Binkowski-Burk's Obituary
Aleah Binkowski-Burk
Aleah Fransen Binkowski-Burk of Gladstone, Oregon died September 22,
2023, after a brief illness. She was 43.
Aleah was born February 26, 1980, at Linton, North Dakota and was raised
on the family farm surrounded by animals. She graduated from Linton
High School in 1998 always involved in Speech, Drama and Yearbook. In
2003 she graduated with honors from Minnesota State University at
Moorhead. After graduating she moved to Minneapolis and quickly became
sales manager at a Borders Bookstore. There she met her partner in life,
Ryan Jensen Burk.
In 2005 they moved to Portland where Aleah continued on at Borders. When
Borders closed, she attended Portland State University, graduating with
honors in 2015. Aleah then worked for Special Mobility Services as
their HR and Payroll Manager. In 2017 she joined the Oak Lodge Water
Services as HR and Payroll Manager where she worked until her death.
Aleah was always working and saving to go on adventures. She started
working at age 14 at local pizza spots and restaurants. That summer she
went to a National Wildlife Federation Camp in the Colorado wilderness
and the next summer she was hiking in the North Carolina wilderness.
She was invited to meet the governor before going to Spain to live with
a host family when she was a high school junior. Right after graduation,
she took off to work at Yellowstone National Park.
While in college, Aleah went to Europe with other film students and was
chosen to attend and walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in
France. Aleah and a friend extended their stay to travel around Europe.
Aleah’s greatest joys were the birth of their sons Bodhi in 2011 and
Reed in 2013. Aleah was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was
active in the Gladstone Rotary Club. Aleah was a take charge woman
always volunteering to help, she always had a full plate. Aleah loved
doing anything with her family, especially hiking, camping, traveling
and exploring the Pacific coast. She was a gourmet cook, marathon runner
and had recently started painting.
Aleah leaves behind her grieving and loving family, her husband Ryan
Binkowski-Burk, sons Bodhi and Reed, her parents Fred and Beth Fransen
Binkowski, mother-in-law Anne Burk, father-in-law Craig (Pam) Burk.
Sisters-in-law Holly and Chelsea, brother-in-law Joshua. Uncle and aunt,
Richard and Carol Binkowski. Cousins Jodi (Scott) Deutsch, Wyatt (Tammy)
Fransen, Daria Binkowski, and Andrea (Andy) Huseth Dolbey along with
many dear friends and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Ellen Fransen,
Eugene and Harriet Binkowski, special Uncle Roger Fransen and Ryan’s
grandparents.
Funeral arrangements are through Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud
(www.waudsfuneralservice.com). Oregon City, Oregon.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 30 at the
Gladstone Christian Church, 305 E. Dartmouth St. at 3:00.
In honor and memory of Aleah, please do an unsolicited act of kindness
to someone in need.
What’s your fondest memory of Aleah?
What’s a lesson you learned from Aleah?
Share a story where Aleah's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Aleah you’ll never forget.
How did Aleah make you smile?