Jan Vonburg

Jan Walter Vonburg, age 72, passed away on November 10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Jan was born on February 12, 1950 in Mitchell, South Dakota, the son of Vernon and Harriet (Schlager) Vonburg.

Jan attended Mitchell High School where he excelled as an athlete in football, basketball and track & field. His talent for competition shone brightly on and off the court, but most especially on the green. Jan was an accomplished golfer often recognized in local newspapers for his achievements in golf and other sports. He went on to attend the University of Arizona in Tucson earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation he served time in the United States Army and was stationed in St. Louis, Missouri, to fulfill his duties before being released at the end of the Vietnam War. Jan moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1974 where he met his wife, Peggy Bernhardt. They were married on October 22, 1976 and had five beautiful children together.

In business, Jan used his experience as a real estate broker to build a portfolio of income properties and operated a successful real estate business. He had a hands-on approach and made many friendships over the years.

One of Jan’s favorite hobbies was collecting vintage jukeboxes and soda pop machines. He took great pleasure in restoring these machines to their original function and beauty. There wasn’t a Vonburg family gathering where one didn’t visit the old Squirt pop machine on the back patio for an ice cold beer or Coca Cola.

Some of Jan’s other favorite things to do were playing foosball and ping pong with his kids and grandkids, watching movies, feeding peanuts to the bluejays every morning, cocktails with Peggy on summer evenings while watching their chickens free-range in the backyard, riding his electric scooter around the neighborhood, and texting with his life-long friends.

Those in the inner circle, will fondly remember the days when Jan entertained us by reciting the lengthy poem, “Casey at the Bat,” that he first memorized in elementary school.

Jan’s kindness towards others was abundant and his love for his family unwavering….we are left with a lifetime of precious memories.

Jan was preceded in death by his parents and his young son, Corty.

Jan is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Peggy; their children Betsy (Matthew) Barringer; Bo (Camille) Vonburg; Tory (Mary) Vonburg; and Jonni (Andrew Nuntapreda) Vonburg; their grandchildren Ashlyne, Gavin and Lorel (Barringer), Miles and Cora (Vonburg); his sisters Merrilee McKenna, Kathy (George) Sipel and Barb (Clyde) Mathis; eight nieces and nephews; and his dog, Talula, who he always called “Tula.”

Jan’s immediate family will have a private gathering in his memory, but we encourage you to share a memory or final words to Jan on the Tribute Wall.

Visit the gallery to view photos of Jan and his family and to read the poem "Casey at the Bat."

Please share this link with the people in your life who knew Jan.