Pat Burke, 84, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Mahaksa Health Hospice Serenity House.
Patrick Edward Burke, son of Leo Joseph and Lena Marie (Swim) Burke, was born on October 20, 1939, in Chariton, Iowa. As a youngster, Pat’s family moved to several cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, Martinsburg, Nebraska, and Truax, Iowa, before landing in Oskaloosa. He attended Webster, Garfield, and Jefferson Grade Schools. During grade school and high school, Pat delivered newspapers and set bowling pins; he was a pole vaulter on the track team. Pat graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1957, and after graduating, his first job was with Ben Dupree, doing carpentry work. He also worked at a soda bottling company in Oskaloosa. Pat later built pole barns for Matt Edwards and John Campbell. He also worked as a firefighter with the Oskaloosa Fire Department during this time. In 1963, Pat was hired by Harold Morgan at Oskaloosa Glass and Millwork. He worked for Harold until 1975, when he purchased the business. Pat eventually brought his son, Mike, to work with him in the business. He retired on June 11, 2019, when he transferred the business ownership.
Pat married Martha Davis in 1959; his children, Christy and Mike, were born to this union. In 1986, he married Connie Stevens. They also later divorced. On March 2, 2020, Pat married Vicki Winchester, and they made their home in Oskaloosa. Pat enjoyed many sporting activities with his family and friends. Summers were a busy time for Pat: he coached Little League for 13 years and enjoyed playing baseball, golf, boating, fishing, and waterskiing, and in the winter, he enjoyed snow skiing and bird hunting with his beloved Brittany spaniel, Missy. Pat was a member of Masonic Lodge 644 and the Kaaba Shriners since 1963. He was also a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and the Elks Lodge, where he enjoyed many card games with friends.
Pat’s family includes his wife, Vicki; his children: Christy Lynn Smith of Oskaloosa, and Michael (Elizabeth) Burke of Oskaloosa; his grandchildren: Jonathan and Megan Burke; his siblings: Audrey Burke of Eddyville and Dwight (Judy) Swim of Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Sharon Burke of Marion, Iowa; and his wife, Vicki’s family: her children: Dana Lynn (Shane Buseman) Abell and Justin Ray (Becky) Abell, both of Sigourney; her grandchildren: Hayley (Brett) Sue Abell Wright and their daughter, Wrenlee Sue, Jasmine Marie Abell, and Joselyn Ray Abell (fiancé, Brock Ware); her siblings: Sherri (Bill) Finders of Oskaloosa, Jay (Janine) Winchester of Oregon, Bill (Sherri) McCourtney of Arkansas and Donald (Lydia) McCourtney of Arkansas.
Pat was preceded in death by his grandparents, Patrick J. and Sadie (Kilcullen) Burke and Charles and Eva (Krile) Swim; his parents, Leo Joseph Burke and Lena Marie (Swim) Burke Allgood; his step-father, John F. Allgood; a brother, Michael Leo Burke; and a nephew, Danny Johnston.
Funeral Services for Pat will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Jon Nelson of the Central Church officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2023, with a Rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. and the family present from 4-6:30 p.m. to greet visitors. A Masonic service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House, or the Iowa Chapter of the American Parkinsons Disease Association.
