Remembering Pam Burley and her life of service to others

Burley passed away in October of 2022 and left a $300,000 gift to Churches United. CU staff spoke with Pam’s sister to learn about her extraordinary life of compassion and care for others.

Pam Burley’s sister, Marlene Morgel, right, holds a picture of Pam. At left is Marlene’s husband, Ray, also holding a picture of Pam.

Pamela Jean Burley was many things in her life: a sister, daughter, aunt, friend, faithful believer in Jesus’ teachings and a diligent helper.

Pam, who passed away in October 2022, would have turned 65 this Thanksgiving, Nov. 27.

In a final act of generosity, Pamela left Churches United $300,000 to continue feeding, clothing and sheltering her neighbors in need. Neighbors she cared deeply for during her life.

Born in Fargo on Nov. 27, 1960, to Delos and Joyce Burley, Pam grew up on a farm near Gardner, North Dakota.

“There was the four of us growing up, mom, dad, my sister and myself,” said Marlene Morgel, Pam’s sister. “Typical farm life, you have your pet chickens.”

Churches United met with Marlene and her husband, Ray, to learn more about Pam and her life.

Pam graduated from Dakota High School and then Moorhead State University with a degree in mathematics. She received a teaching certificate in secondary education from North Dakota State University. She worked for the General Services Administration for 31 years.

Faith was an instrumental part of her life, being a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Fargo. She was a member of the bell choir for 30 years, taught Sunday school and sewed church banners,

“I know she was a really generous person and did a lot with the church; she was very smart,” Marlene said.

Pam was a long-time volunteer at and donor to Churches United, as well as many other area organizations. It is difficult to gauge the true scope of her generosity because she was as humble as she was diligent in serving others.

“She wasn’t a bragger; she just did the work and didn’t need to draw attention to herself. She was a very humble person,” Marlene said, noting that Pam’s acts of kindness were seldom mentioned. If they were, it was only a few words.

Beyond her steadfast commitment to volunteering, Pam was an avid sewer and quilter, making the aforementioned church banners as well as clothing for family members. On birthdays and Christmases, Marlene said she could always expect a shirt from Pam, noting her creations probably account for about half of her wardrobe. In fact, when speaking with Churches United, Marlene was wearing a shirt sewn by Pam. She was incredibly talented at her craft.

As for the quilts she made, those handmade works of love are almost certainly still out there in the community, providing a warm embrace to those who need it most.

But there is one thing that she loved more than sewing and quilting, and that’s jigsaw puzzles. There didn’t appear to be any puzzle on earth that could stump her – even if it was meant to.

Marlene recounted a story where former First Lutheran Pastor Laurie Neill gave Pam a 1,000-piece puzzle to work on while she was sick. The only catch: it was a trick puzzle with some pieces missing.

“She (Pastor Laurie) called her the next day and asked her how she was doing on her puzzle, and she (Pam) said, ‘You know, it’s not fun to pick on sick people.’”

Churches United Development Director Stephanie Ressler said that when speaking to Marlene, you knew Pam was deeply involved in charity, but never sought the spotlight.

“Her joy seemed to come from helping quietly and faithfully,” Ressler said. “I got the sense that so much of what she did was unseen, yet touched more lives than she ever knew.” 

Pam still holds a very special place in Marlene’s heart, and in knowing her sister’s heart, Marlene knows that Pam’s gift was intended to carry on the work she did in life.

“She was very kindhearted. She was caring, very caring,” she said. “I think that was kind of her main goal in giving, was to help as many as she could.”