Jacqueline "Jackie" Burke

Jacqueline Joy Burke, 93, of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday morning, September 6th, 2024, at the Benedictine Living Community Crookston with her family by her bedside.

Jacqueline was born on September 18, 1930, one of 7 children of the union of Jack and Marie (Lubitz) Schipper. As a youngster her family gave her the nickname “Tootsie” while her friends and colleagues throughout her life knew her as “Jackie”. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston and raised on her family’s rural Crookston farm. Jackie began her education in a country school near Euclid and from 3rd through 6th grade attended another near Dorothy, walking over 4 miles each way to get to and from school. Jackie started 7th grade in Crookston and went on to graduate from Central High School. She then worked as a legal secretary for the Padden, Dickel Law Firm in Crookston. A few years later she entered a local pageant and was crowned 1954’s Miss Crookston. On March 10, 1956 Jackie was united in marriage to a Shelly, MN native and U.S. Army Korean War veteran, Alden Kenneth Burke. Jackie and Alden settled into their Crookston home while Alden farmed with Everett Solheim and later his brother, John. In 1960 they were blessed by the birth of Jeffrey Alden, who as a young man would eventually join his Dad in their farming operation. 

Jackie devoted the next several years to caring for Jeff and Alden and creating a home where all were warmly welcomed. At the same time she enjoyed working for Lloyd Anderson in his State Farm office. Jackie’s mother had been a teacher and Jackie always dreamed of being one too. That dream became a reality as she went off to college in Grand Forks, where in 1977 she earned her Bachelor’s degree with High Honors in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota. She then began her career as an educator at Crookston’s McKinley School and later at Washington School. There are ‘born teachers’ who possess a certain charisma, and are calm and balanced, kind but a little strict, understanding and caring, and so much more. Jackie was one of those born teachers culminating with a rich and rewarding 27-year career she so dearly loved. Many Crookston families could boast of having her teach not only their kids, but many of their grandkids as well. In retirement she always looked forward to seeing her former students and never forgot a name. 

Jackie was thankful for all her blessings and gave back whenever she could. She was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church throughout her life, and taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, belonged to WELCA and her Circle, and joined her friends of the quilters group regularly. Her favorite pastimes included family outings at the lake, being one of the Red Hat Ladies, watching Jeopardy, traveling near and far, and Ladies’ trips to the casino. After moving to the Benedictine Living Community Crookston (BLCC) last January, nothing brought “Tootsie” more pleasure than frequent visits from her grandchildren and their families, and her extended family.

She will be forever loved and deeply missed by all who were part of her life, including her 4 grandchildren: Tyler (Nichole) Sanders, Gretchen (Brandon) Carlson, Amy (Chris) Erdmann, and Aaron (Munju) Burke; 8 great-grandchildren: Madisyn, Caden, and Brittyn Sanders, Morgyn Larson, Bailey Carlson, and Hailey, Ryder, and Brynlee Erdmann; sister-in-law, Arlene Schipper of Crookston; nieces and nephews, including Lori Fontaine, who served as a patient representative advocate for Jackie at BLCC; and her many, many friends.

A blessed life is not without its sorrows and sadly Jackie was preceded in death by Alden, her beloved husband of 47 years who died on August 27, 2003; son, Jeffrey, the light of her life, who passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on April 26, 2009; her parents, Jack and Marie Schipper; and all of her siblings: Angela (Sonny) Beattie, Billy Schipper, Dorothy (Adolph) Demarais, Audrey (Clarence) Delude, Bobby Schipper, and Ethel (Willis) Sondreal. 

 The funeral service honoring Jackie’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Crookston, with The Rev. Curt Peterson, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and also at St. Paul’s for one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston. All services will be livestreamed and also recorded for later viewing by going to Jackie’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Messages of condolence may be offered to the family on the website as well. In lieu of flowers Jackie would have wanted you to consider a memorial in her honor to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

May God richly bless the memory of Jacqueline Jo