Norris Frank Burke
Burke, Norris Frank, 93, retired school teacher, principal and guidance counselor, died Sunday, March 15, 2009. Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 18 with the service following at 11:00 A.M., both at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Interment will be at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, at the Janesville Township Cemetery, Hamilton, KS. Preceded in death by first wife, Mary Louise (Redding) Burke. Survivors: wife, Ethel (Ackerman) Burke; son, Gary N. Burke (Jane) of St. James City, FL; daughter, Sharon Nichols (Dan) of Auburn, AL; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with Kechi United Methodist Church, 4533 E. 61st N., Kechi, KS, 67067, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202 and Alzheimers at Larksfield Place, Sunflower Lane, 2828 N. Governeour, Wichita, KS, 67226.
Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 18 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Interment will be at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, at the Janesville Township Cemetery, Hamilton, KS.
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Dear Gary and family Your dad was a fine educator and a big part of my early education. I have many fond memories.
Mr. Burke was my principas during my years in Jr. High School in Ottawa, Kansas. He had a great influence on my life. He touched the lives of so many. Please accept my sincerest sympathy on his passing.
Gary and Sharon, I know it’s been many years but your father had a big influence in my life. He got my first job for me at FW Woolworth. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Russell Wiggins Jr. Lawrence Ks.
To the family of Norris Burke – Please know that your husband, father, and grandfather provided many memories for my life in my high school days in Ottawa, Kansas. Some teachers have a greater influence on a young life than others, and Norris Burke certainly falls into the category of greater influence. May your own personal memories sustain you during this time.
Dear Mrs. Burke, Gary and family and Sharon and family, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I have many good memories of my time as Mr. Burke’s secretary. I will always appreciate the the fact that he gave a kid not graduated yet a chance to begin my career as a secretary. Sincerely Cora (Dunn) Kunard
Mrs. Burke, Gary and Sharon: It was with regret that I read of Mr. Burke’s death. I know the past few years have been a struggle for all. If there is anything I can do to help you during this time, please feel free to let me know.
To the Family of Mr. Norris Burke, For this time of sadness, there comes also a time to offer praise and tribute. Mr. Burke was my 8th or 9th grade Math teacher in Ottawa and of course, my favorite principal. I regret some of the teasing and headaches I may have caused him, but he was a gentleman and a gracious mentor. Many of us Ottawa kids are the better, today, because of him. Peace and Grace, Fred Craig, Chaplain at St. Francis, Topeka
DEAR GARY AND SHARON; SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR DAD’S DEATH. WHEN I STARTED TO SCHOOL IN OTTAWA, MR BURKE WAS PRINCIPAL. WHEN I GRADUATED TO THE JR. HIGH, MR. BURK DID TOO. WHEN I GRADUATED MTO SR. HIGH, WELL GUESS WHAT, SO DID MR BURK. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! WHEN I RETURNED TO KSTC IN EMPORIA TO WORK ON A MASTERS DEGREE GUESS WHO I MET THERE? RIGHT! YOUR DAD. THAT’S WHEN I STARTED TO KNOW HIM NOT AS THE PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER BUT AS A FRIEND. A REALLY GOOD MAN AND EDUCATOR.
There are a few people in each of our lives who make a difference, help us to mature into productive adults and protect us, as youths, from preditors and bullies. I am grateful every day for the impact Norris Burke had on my live as a role model and teacher.
Dear Sharon and Gary, I don’t have your addresses but wanted you both to know how sad we are about your loss. We have been out of town and just read Norris’ obituary last night in the newspaper. Norris and Mary Louise were so kind to us when we first moved to Wichita 36 years ago. We didn’t know a soul and they helped us so much. Norris took Roger to the farm and they fished together. He taught me how to cane chairs and appreciate antiques. I’ll never forget when your folks took care of our boys when we went on a skiing trip. Adam was in kindergarden and Norris would make the trip into town each day at noon to pick him up. That just meant the world to us and we’ll never forget that sweet man with the buzz haircut. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.