Ethel May Burke Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ethel Burke, 83, of Redwood Falls died Friday, February 13, 2015 at Mayo Hospital in Mankato. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are with Nelson-Martin Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelsonmartinfuneralservice.com. Ethel May Burke, the daughter of Alva and Maggie (Smelcer) Downing, was born September 13, 1931 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. At a very young age, Ethel moved with her family to Hutchinson, Kansas. She grew up in Hutchinson and received her formal education there. On April 15, 1950, Ethel married Gerald “Ken” Burke in Hutchinson. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Two Harbors, Minnesota. Ethel and Ken were blessed with four children. In the early 1960s, the family moved to Bemidji where Ken attended Oak Hills Bible Institute. They were called to churches in Backus and Silver Bay before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1969 where Ken attended seminary. In 1971, they returned to Minnesota to pastor the First Baptist Church in Redwood Falls. A pastorate in Polk, Nebraska followed before Ethel and Ken returned to Redwood Falls in 1976. Ethel served alongside her husband in their various churches. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She and Ken led church youth groups, AWANA and, in Redwood Falls, led services at REM and the nursing homes. Ethel was a member of Harvest Baptist Church in Redwood Falls where she played the piano and served as church treasurer. Ethel was employed as a school cook when her children were young. After returning to Redwood Falls in 1976, she began employment at Coast-to-Coast Hardware – later Ace Hardware - where she worked until her retirement in 2012. Ethel is survived by her daughter Glenda (Gary) Kaiser of York, Nebraska; son Gordon (Vikki) Burke of Redwood Falls; grandchildren Brooke Buller, Daniel Boardman, Alexandra Kaiser, Reva Kaiser, Daniel Smith, Colton Burke, and Jaden Burke; and great-grandchildren Taylor, Payten, Hailey, Joeli, Jamison and Leland. She was preceded in death by her husband Ken in 2001, her parents, daughter Donna Burke, son Jerry Burke, and two brothers. Blessed be her memory.

Ethel May Burke

September 13, 1931 - February 13, 2015