Burke, Martin Victor

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

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 United States 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, Liz (Lee) DeBeau of Marshall, Minn., and Peter Burke of Blaine, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one brother David (Rose) Burke of Cedar Rapids.

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

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Austin, with Martin's nephew, Father Kevin O'Dell, officiating with Father Jim Steffes. Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. today at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and V.F.W. 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 .

Services performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 4, 2011.