Janet Burke

JANET E. SCHAFER BURKE

Janet Elizabeth Schafer Burke, daughter of Jacob and Eva Schafer, was born August 2, 1916, in LeMars IA, and quietly passed away on May 16, at the Heritage House in Atlantic IA, at 99 years of age.
Janet was raised in LeMars IA, and graduated in 1934 from St. Joseph High School (now Gehlen H.S.) in LeMars. She graduated in 1938 from the College of St. Theresa in Winona MN. She taught high school history in Lake City MN before returning to Atlantic. Janet was married to Gail E. Burke at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic IA, on May 16, 1940. They lived their entire 51 years of married life in Anita IA, and raised five children there. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Janet was active with the Altar and Rosary Society, Sunday School teaching, and serving as a Eucharistic minister. She was a 50 year member of PEO, Chapter MU, volunteered with Anita elections, and served on the Anita Library Board for a number of years. Janet was a quiet, devoted wife and a loving mother. She greatly enjoyed her children and grandchildren. She also loved playing bridge with friends, making delicious desserts, and shopping. Above all, it was Janet’s faith that defined who she was.
Janet is survived by her son Barry (Mary Lou) Burke of Lexington MA, her daughter Susan (Craig) Smith of Atlantic IA, and her sister-in-law Aileen Schafer of Villisca IA. Her grandchildren include Paul (Emily) Burke of Burlington MA, Karen Burke of Boston MA, Sean (Carmen) Burke of Boulder CO, Erin Vogel of Denver CO, Thomas (Cheryl) Burke of Stewartsville NJ, Michael (Jaime) Burke of Omaha NE, Michelle (Jason) Friedman of Chicago IL, Matthew (Audra) Martin of Chappaqua NY, and Marc (Liz) Smith of Omaha NE. Janet has 16 great grandchildren: Kevin and Alicia Burke, Jacob, Aiden and Nathan Vogel, Andrew, Kate and Ella Burke, Colleen and Nora Burke, Phoebe, Asher and Bo Friedman, Lila Smith, and Jules and George Martin.
Preceding Janet in death were her parents, her loving husband Gail (1991), her sons Alan (2013) and wife Rita (2014), and Kevin (1968), her daughter Sarah (1967), her brothers Fred Schafer and Stan Schafer, and her brother-in-law Raymond Burke and wife Marjorie.
Open visitation will be Thursday, May 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Roland Funeral Home. A prayer service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19th at the Roland's, followed by visitation with the family from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 20th, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Burial will be in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery. A lunch will be served following the burial in the church parish center.
Memorials can be made to the SS Peter and Paul Education Fund or to the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Janet's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE
Janet E. Burke
BORN
August 2, 1916 ~ LeMars, Iowa

DIED
May 16, 2016~ Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
99 years, 9 months, and 14 days

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
10:30 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2016
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church ~ Atlantic, Iowa

CELEBRANT ~Father Mike Berner

PIANIST & CANTOR ~ Donna Muell

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“We Walk by Faith” #590 by Congregation
“One Bread, One Body” #830 by Congregation
“Ave Maria”
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” #731 by Congregation

PALLBEARERS
Michael Burke
Sean Burke
Denis Burke
Marty Schafer
Marc Smith
Paul Burke

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Thomas Burke
Matthew Martin

INTERMENT
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery ~ Atlantic, Iowa

The family invites you to join them for lunch in the
Parish Center following services at the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the SS Peter and Paul
Education Fund or Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund.