James "Pat" Burke

HOFF CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER - 507-452-4241
James E. "Pat" Burke, 90, of Winona, MN died on Monday, April 18, 2016, at Winona Health.
Pat was born on June 29, 1925, in Winona to J. Everett and Alice E. (Meany) Burke. He was raised in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School. He attended the Mortuary Science department at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. During WWII, Pat flew combat missions as a bombardier on the B-26 bomber with the 452nd bomb squadron, the 322nd bomb group, the 9th Air Force in Europe and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve in 1969. On August 19, 1950, he was united in marriage with Vivian E. Glende in Winona. Pat was a former co-owner of Burke's Furniture Mart and Burke's Funeral Home in Winona. He was a member of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church, a 71 year member of the American Legion Post #9, Westfield golf Club, Winona Eagles, Winona Elks, National Association of Uniformed Service Officers, B-26 Marauder Historical Society, as well as several other organizations. In his spare time, Pat enjoyed hunting, boating on the Mississippi, playing cards, dinner with friends, and big family gatherings at his home.
He is survived by his children: Dennis Burke of Winona, Casey (Reyne Athanas) Burke of Bethel, Alaska, Terry Burke of Hastings, MN, Maureen 'Mimi" Shook of Rochester, MN, Kelley (Scott Lande) of Medford, OR, Briget Scott of Winona, Colleen (Sam Harrison) Burke of Goodview, MN, Devon (Jonna) Burke of Randolph, MN; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph T. "Tim" Burke of Winona, and a sister, Margaret A. "Margie" Demarce of Benson, MN.
Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian; brother, John M. "Mike" Burke; grandson, Ian Patrick Burke, and great-grandson, Quinn Patrick Burke.
There will be a Funeral Mass for Pat at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church in Winona with Msgr. Richard Colletti officiating. There will be military honors by the Winona American Legion to follow at the church. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview and one hour prior to the Mass on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the donor's choice.