Doris Burke

Doris Sielitz Burke was born to Ruben and Anna Sielitz on January 13, 1920 and passed away October 10, 2017. She was very proud that she lived her entire 97 ¾ years in NE Minneapolis. She and Ruth Kron were dubbed “The Queens of Adams Street” because they were raised in 1139 Adams Street and raised their own families in that same duplex! She graduated from Edison HS in 1938 and went to business school. She worked at Honeywell from 1940-1953. She proudly assembled gun sights to support the WWII effort. Doris married Paul Burke in 1947. They enjoyed 27 years together and had one daughter, Lori Ann Burke Stanforth (10/24/53-4/9/17). As many of you know, Lori Ann passed away last April after a difficult battle with cancer. This was a very deep loss for both Doris and Bruce. When Lori Ann was young, Doris was able to stay at home full time. She spent much of her time sewing clothes for herself and Lori Ann. When Lori Ann went to middle school, Doris started working at Elim’s Preschool. This is a quote from a former parent: “Doris had both Beth and Jennifer when they were 3 and 4. I vividly remember Beth would only agree to stay if she could sit on Miss Doris’s lap. Doris let her do this most of the year and even into the next fall! They both adored her and their time at Elim Nursery School.” When Paul became ill and was no longer able to work full time, Doris started full time employment at Booths Dental Lab and learned to drive a car. Paul passed away in 1974. After Doris retired in 1985, she was free to travel. Four women from Elim called themselves “the roadrunners” and did they run! They drove many miles and saw many fun places. Doris also loved to entertain friends and family around her large dining room table. Christmas at 1139 Adams was an art to behold!!! Doris once said, “I love Christ, family and friends.” Elim was her loving family that provided many activities in which she was involved. Doris’s planning skills and wit merged together to show God’s love to many people of various ages. A neighbor who lived in her condominium association said, “She was always going somewhere.” Doris loved to travel to various places, especially to Houston and on to Mexico with Bruce and Lori Ann. Praise be to God that He granted her a long, active life filled with much joy and love! We’ll all miss her!