Martin Victor Burke, 90

Published 10:55 am Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Martin Victor Burke, 90, died Sunday morning, Oct. 2, 2011, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Center in Austin after a brief illness.

Martin Burke

Martin was born March 25, 1921, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Martin and Mary (Darner) Burke. Martin was a graduate of Coe College and Iowa State University where he studied food science. He retired from Hormel Foods in 1986 where he worked as a research administrator for 37 years. As an active member of St. Edward Catholic Church, Martin was involved in many ministries including Care Ministry, Lector, Eucharistic Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, RCIA, Marriage Preparation, and Parish Council. Martin volunteered many hours in the Austin community, working with Crops, Meals on Wheels, and as an AARP tax aide. Outside of Austin, Martin volunteered with EAA, US West and Mayo Clinic. During World War II, Martin served in the Navy as a lieutenant in the Signal Corps. He served in the Pacific from 1942 to 1946. On April 14, 1951, Martin married the love of his life, Patricia McCormack, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The couple just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; four children, Dan (Amy) Burke of Arlington Heights, Ill., Martha (Bob) Burns of Clear Lake, Iowa, Liz (Lee) DeBeau of Marshall, Minn., Peter Burke of Blaine, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, David (Rose) Burke of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Mary; sister, Barb (Burt) O’Dell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one great-grandson, Jordan McKibben.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Austin with Martin’s nephew, Father Kevin O’Dell, officiating with Father Jim Steffes. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. A luncheon for friends and family will be held in the St. Edward’s Family Room following the interment. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. Services performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.