Alden Buerge

(From Parker Mortuary)

Alden Dale Buerge was born on May 1, 1951 in Harrisonville, MO to Paul and Margaret (Berkey) Buerge, second of three boys. He was raised in a farming family which turned to banking in 1965 with the purchase of First National Bank of Butler.

 
Alden graduated from Adrian High School in 1969. He studied at Central Missouri State University, where he earned a BS in business administration and also met and married the love of his life, Kathryn Blair.

Also during these formative years, he earned his pilots license, purchased a J-3 Cub, and developed a lifelong passion for aviation. Alden had over 7,000 hours of pilot in command time in dozens of aircraft, earning the highest FAA licensure – Airline Transport Pilot.

After college, he went to work in the family business, rising from teller to President and CEO of both First State Bank of Joplin and First National Bank of Clinton. Leveraging his passion for aviation in his business, he was known nation-wide as “Your Sky Banker” and incorporated business flying into the management of his business interests stretching over three states.

Alden and Kathy raised three boys, two of whom followed him into banking, and one into aviation. In his spare time, he spent many happy weekends with friends and family at Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees. Alden was also an avid outdoorsman, travelling as far as Alaska, Nicaragua, and Africa to hunt big game.
He was a 2016 “Missourian Award” recipient, proud member of The Order of Quiet Birdmen, and Daybreak Rotary. Alden and Kathy belonged to Christ’s Community Church where he never missed an opportunity to make a friend, or share a story.

Alden was a larger-than-life figure who was a blessing to those who knew him best, and whose grandchildren found in him an advocate and friend. In typical fashion, he refused to accept a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2011, and added eleven years to the one he was given, by fighting courageously and creatively with the help of his wife. His final flight was exactly three weeks before his passing. Alden passed at home, with his family by his side, on June 14, 2023.

Alden was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Margaret, and his grandson, Jaxon Buerge. He is survived by his wife of fifty one years, Kathy, his brothers Robin and Steve, as well as his sons, their wives, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Aaron & Angye, parents of Emalye, Aven and Aspen, Justin & Trisha, parents of Jaxon and Maxwell, and Brandon & Beth, parents of Charlotte, Isaiah, Silas, and Ezra. Emalye and Sam are parents of Wyatt.

Alden will be laid to rest at Mt. Hope Cemetery, next to Jaxon, in Webb City, MO. Funeral services will be held Tuesday June 20, 10am, at Christ’s Community Church. In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to either, The Ronald McDonald House of the Four States or Mt. Hope Cemetery Care Fund c/o the mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.