Jay Burke

Jay Burke, age 51, of Fort Atkinson, IA died Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, January 31, 2011 at 10:30 a.m., at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Atkinson, IA. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Father Marvin Salz will be presiding. Visitation will be 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home Chekal Chapel in Ft. Atkinson with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 5:00 there will also be visitation after 9:00 Monday morning at the funeral home. William “Jay” Thomas Burke, Jr., was born on May 9, 1959 in New Hampton, IA, the son of William and Carole (Meyer) Burke. Jay attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Waucoma and graduated from Turkey Valley High School in 1977. He attended Area One and received a degree in the Farm Implement Program. He worked at Schmitt Implement in Fort Atkinson, IA, for a couple of years, and then became an instructor in the John Deere Ag Tech Program at NICC in Calmar for the last twenty years. Jay married Theresa Martin on December 30, 1992, and made their home in Fort Atkinson. Jay enjoyed restoring two cylinder John Deere tractors, going to area tractor shows, and doing things with his family outdoors. Jay is survived by his wife: Theresa Burke, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Three daughters: Sheena (Greg) Frana, Rochester, MN; Amanda (Stephen Rausch) Burke, Des Moines, IA; and Kayla Burke, Ft. Atkinson, IA. One son: Zachary Burke, Ft. Atkinson, IA. One granddaughter: Cloe. His parents: Bill and Carole Burke, Waucoma, IA. Four sisters: Shari (Mark) Schultz, Storm Lake, IA; Juli Ann (Kevin) Bertness, Batavia, IL; Jane (Luis) Pinto, Warrenville, IL; and Rebecca (Shin) Yang, Madison, AL, along with many nieces and nephews. Jay was preceded in death by his grandparents: Dan & Laura Meyer and Tom & Bessie Burke.