Kenneth Burke, age 90, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Funeral Mass for Mr. Burke is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, with Father Matt Hewitt as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with full military rites performed by AMVETS Post #66. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2006 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Legion of Mary Rosary will be recited at 3:30 and Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7:00, both at the funeral home.

Kenneth Cecil Burke was born in Henry, South Dakota on February 27, 1916. He was the youngest of ten children of Patrick Francis Burke and Theresa (McKenna) Burke. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and worked on the family farm. His father died when Ken was eleven years old, leaving the family to manage through the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.

In 1942, Ken enlisted in the United States Navy and honorably served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was stationed aboard an LST, participating in 10 amphibious landings, including the liberation of New Guinea and the Philippines. He was in Manila Bay when General McArthur made his famous return to the Philippines. After the war ended, Ken earned his B.S. in Agricultural Economics from South Dakota State University. He went to work as a field officer for the Iowa Farm Bureau. While working in the Sibley, Iowa area, he met the young woman who would be his wife for 55 years, June Elinor Whitney. They were married in 1951.

Ken began his employment with Citizen’s First National Bank and moved his family to Storm Lake in 1954. He remained with the bank until his retirement in 1986. He continued to serve on the bank’s Board of Directors for many years following his retirement. While working for the bank, Ken attended the Harvard School of Banking and the University of Wisconsin School of Banking.

During the years Ken lived in Storm Lake, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and President and Director of the Community Chest. He also was a lifelong member of the Kiwanis Club. As a charter member of the Lake Preservation Association, Ken played an integral role in the first dredging of Storm Lake in 1958. His Catholic faith was an important part of his life, and he was an avid supporter of St. Mary’s parish and school. He served as Lay Director for St. Mary’s parish for a number of years and was a continuous presence in church volunteer efforts.

Ken was often heard proudly stating that “his only jewels were his children” and “eight kids and not a horse-thief in the bunch.” He is survived by his wife, June of Storm Lake; his eight children: Pat (Carol) Burke of Morris, Minnesota; Tim (Mary) Burke of Storm Lake; Jane (Dave) Smith of Hagerstown, Maryland; Anne (Mark) Hoffard of Storm Lake; Joe Burke of Dallas, Texas; Julia (Pat) Mooney of Storm Lake; Susan Burke of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; and David (Cathy) Burke of St. Paul, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; extended family and many friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings and a granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s honor may be directed to St. Mary’s Foundation in Storm Lake or the Lake Preservation Association.