Lorna Mae Burke

Lorna Mae Burke, age 91, of Willow Lake, the widow of Daryl Burke, died peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2020.

A Public visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2020, from 5-7PM in the Lake Gospel Church of Willow Lake. Visitation services will continue at 9:30AM on Saturday, September 19, 2020, with Funeral Services beginning at 10:30AM with Pastor Uthe officiating. Burial will follow in the Collins Cemetery of Willow Lake. MASKS OR FACE COVERINGS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Lorna Mae Burke went to be with her heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ on September 14, 2020.

She was born in Pipestone County, MN, on April 22, 1929 to Walter and Nancy Elizabeth (Hammer) Monk. She was the second of seven children and grew up across the road from the one-room schoolhouse that her Grandpa Monk built. She attended school there and graduated from the 8 ^th grade. Though her dream was to become a nurse, she stayed home to help her mom for the next few years and, looking back, realized that God was preparing her for the life she was to lead.

She fell in love and married Daryl Burke on June 16, 1946. Their first son, Daryl Duane, was born the following year and was her delight. Though the Lord took him to heaven six months later, she carried him always in her heart.

Daryl and Lorna moved to Clark County, SD, in 1949. They farmed near Carpenter and raised four more children. Lorna was a wonderful wife, mom, and homemaker. Her antique Hoosier oak kitchen cabinet with a sugar bin and flour sifter was her most prized possession. She could bake and sew anything and everything. She had a servant's heart, always thinking of others before herself and tackling projects no one else dared. "Many hands make light work," she would say. She had a solid faith, special way with words, and infectious smile, making her a much-loved lay minister and Sunday School teacher. In her 40's, she pursued and happily received her GED.

Eventually, she became known as Grandma Burke, a title that she treasured. The years spent at Lake Poinsett with all her grandchildren were some of the happiest years of her life. Attending sports events, school activities, and contests brought her so much joy, as did family reunions, weddings, and the arrival of great-grandchildren. "Oh, let's just go sit down," she would say as she invited her loved ones into her kitchen nook to visit, always ready to listen, laugh, and love unconditionally. All her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses held a special place in her heart and she prayed for them each by name.

She was grateful for a long life, loving family, and dear friends and enjoyed them to the end. Yet she looked forward to entering her eternal home and being embraced again by Daryl, her husband of 55 years, their precious baby boy Daryl Duane, their best friend and her dear older brother Paul Raymond, and others that she loved including her younger brothers Walter Monk and Freddie Monk, sister Bonnie Erks, sister-in-law Peggy Monk, and brother-in-law Jack Knutson.

She will continue to be cherished and missed by her children: Sandy and Randy Bratland, Donn Juan and Patty Burke, Cheche and Jay Englert, and Rita and Basil Englert; 14 grandchildren and spouses: Lon and Jodi Bratland, Lisa and Wayne Hennen, Paula and Martin Lundell, Nikki and Shane VanBockern, Tony and Jennifer Englert, Chance and Melissa Burke, J.J. and Kelly Burke, Ryan and Bobbie Jo Burke, Rory and Renae Burke, Stephanie and Bob Lundin, Kimberly and Scott Tollinger, Danielle and Frank Doggett, Virginia and Halden Clark, and Elizabeth and Elliot De Jongh; 47 great-grandchildren and 1 great-grandson-in-law; brother James Monk, sister Jeanie Knutson, brother-in-law Harold Erks, sister-in-law Edith Monk, and Dorothy Evenson and Bobbette Warkenthien, her dear friends and neighbors.

Services are with the Furness Funeral Home in Clark where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com