Walter Martin Burke

Walter Martin Burke passed away on March 5, 2026, in McGregor, Texas, lovingly surrounded by family. We were certainly blessed to have had Dad for nearly 102 years. He was a generous gentle funny human, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Born June 24, 1924, in Addison, Michigan to parents Rudolph and Milda Strobel Burke, both of strong German heritages, Walter grew up working. Always enterprising, as a lad he earned (and saved) money trapping mink, raising piglets, catching frogs and harvesting tree honey to sell in town. With good business acumen and an engineer’s mind, he succeeded in dairy farming but also built a nest egg for the future. He always had a project. He could pull a pencil stub out of his overalls and write down a few numbers and then begin building. He could build anything; fix anything - wood, electrical, plumbing, machinery and more. He built playgrounds for his kids and later the grandkids. He built beds, toys and cabinetry. He planted trees and 50 years later harvested them to build mom her dream house. In his 90’s, he used his trusty golf cart (with a dog at his side) to work on the McGregor ranch, picking up limbs, harvesting pecans, helping with animals and fixing up farm buildings. He was constantly curious, reading and learning. He always knew right from wrong and was generous beyond measure for his family as well as for his community.

He married Patricia Marie Converse on March 2, 1947. Their love for each other remained solid and true for all of their 78 years. Together they raised six daughters plus two foster daughters, and took in children with disabilities (in a farmhouse with one bathroom – he called “his office.”) They hosted Michigan State University (MSU) foreign students who didn't have a place to go on holidays – Lettie from Mexico, Annie from France, Helene from Luxembourg, Louisa from Tanganyika, Ari from Indonesia, plus exchange students - Eva, Goran, Patrik, and Peter from Sweden, Bette and Genevieve from France and Jake from the Philippines. Walter was a MSU Short Course graduate, served the community as a 4-H leader, Hillsdale County Fair Building Superintendent, Soil Conservation District Board, Kiwanis, Church leader, Jackson Movie Club and Meals on Wheels volunteer – both in Michigan and Texas. Walter and Pat traveled across the United States in a station wagon with the kids and later in their RV across Canada and to Alaska, made farm exchange trips to Hawaii, Scotland, Ireland, Europe and Egypt. Eventually they sold the Addison farm, built a house in McGregor, Texas in 2000, bought a house in Holland, Michigan with daughter Deanna in 2005, and later moved into Heidi's McGregor farm in 2017.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, his parents, sister Wilma and husband Royce, and oldest daughter Deanna Marie Hansen and her husband Michael. Surviving are daughters Pamela Burke, Deborah Leonard and husband Mark, Sandra Slowey and husband David, Rebecca Burke, Heidi Foster and husband Ottis, Martha Burrell and husband Harold, grandchildren Benjamin/Katheryn, Jonathan/Lindsea, Bethany/Jayson, Matthew/Wendy, Jack/Eden, Anna, Stacia/Mack, Jenna/Chris, Andrea/Mark, Zane, Preston/Kennedy, Jackie/Isaac and great grandchildren Emma, Peter, Nora, David, Martin, Evelyn, Lynnx, Ottilie, Awna, Ara and A'yia and Lucy. He also will be missed by his Baker, Galvin, Haas, Strobel, Morris, Converse nieces and nephews. Special thanks goes out to his Hospice team and home health caregivers. A family memorial will be held in the future. In honor of his generous spirit, donations may be sent in his name to your local Hospice, Library, Meals on Wheels, or County Fair.