Verona Elaine Burke

Verona E. (Papke) Burke of Mustang, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025, in Oklahoma City. She was born August 18, 1932, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Reinhardt F. W. and Christina E. K. (Mahlock) Papke.

Verona was a devoted wife, mother, and teacher whose faith and love for her family were central to her life. She began her career as a schoolteacher and later earned her Registered Nurse diploma from St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing in 1969. She lived in both Nebraska and Oklahoma, moving to Bethany in 1960 and later to Mustang in 2020.

A gifted musician, Verona loved classic organ and piano music and joyfully played both at Western Oaks Christian Church, where she was a member since 1965. She became an elder there on September 16, 2007, and faithfully served as church organist and pianist until the age of 85.

Verona married the love of her life, James E. Burke, on June 22, 1951, in Firth, Nebraska. They shared 40 wonderful years together until his passing on November 2, 1991. Together, they raised their family in a home filled with love, laughter, music, and faith—values Verona cherished and instilled in her children and grandchildren.

She loved to travel, attend plays and musical performances, and create beautiful needlepoint pictures for her family. Verona took special pride in being “Mom” and “Grandma” to five Eagle Scouts and enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students who became part of the extended family. Her favorite color was purple, and her perfect day was one spent outdoors on the patio beneath blue skies, surrounded by flowers and birds singing.

The joy of her grandchildren’s antics and 1960s variety shows often brought laughter to her home. Her family will forever remember her virtues, her faith, and her steadfast dedication to the Lord. Verona would want to be remembered most for the way she and Jim raised their children—with love, integrity, and devotion.

Verona is survived by her children: David L. Burke and wife Rae-Jean; Daniel J. Burke and wife Karen; and Diane Burke Chaney and husband Mark; grandchildren: John and Esthermarie Burke, Michelle and Charles Crenshaw, Jay and Heather Burke, Andy and Kris Ellis, Claire Chaney, Molly Chaney, Michael Chaney, and Justin and Mary Chaney; and nine great-grandsons. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Arllys Papke; four nieces; and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Burke; her son and daughter-in-law, Donald J. and Patricia Burke; her brother, Norman Papke; her sister and brother-in-law, Valerie Kerns Marhenke and Bob Marhenke; and her beloved red and white dachshund, Daisy.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Bill Merritt Funeral Service. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Western Oaks Christian Church, with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Western Oaks Christian Church, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, or the Red Cross, in Verona’s memory.