Donald J. Burke

Donald J. Burke, 87, of Cavalier, ND passed away peacefully, Sunday, July 27, 2008, at the Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Burial in the Cavalier Cemetery. Military Rites by the Lavern J. Thompson Post #11, Cavalier American Legion.
Donald Jack was born December 19, 1920, to Arthur and Florence (Freschette) Burke.
On April 19, 1940, he married Eileen M. Adams at Crookston, MN. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS Kalinin Bay from 1940 to 1946. After his discharge from the service he worked at the bakery in Park River, ND, before opening Burke's Bakery in Cavalier in 1948. He retired from the bakery in 1985. Don served as President of the North Dakota Bakers Association for two terms, school board member at Cavalier Public School, and served as a park board member and President for many years. He was also a member of the Lavern J. Thompson Legion Post #11, Tongue River Masonic Lodge, and the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his children, Sandra (Don) Williams, Grover Beach, CA, Debra (Chris) Thompson, Cavalier, ND, Kelly (Brenda) Burke, Commerce City, CO, Robin Burke (Ken Lawrence) Pembina, ND, Melody (Bret) Letzring, Grand Forks, ND, Ron (Anita) Burke, Apple Valley, MN, Colleen (Mark) Sagert, Cavalier, ND, 23 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, sisters, Bette (Walter) Ault, Fargo, ND, Glenna (Clem) Knoll, Kennewick, WA and Marion (Gus) Sagert, Fargo, ND, and special friend, Bernice Olson, Cavalier.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eileen, his wife of 65 years passed away November 19, 2005, brother, Maurice (Shirley) Burke.
Clergy: Rev. Lori Broschat.
Casket Bearers: Ron Jenson, Ken Lawrence, Bret Letzring, Mark Sagert, Chris Thompson, and Don Williams.
ArvaDell Sharp, Organist.