Martha Burke

Martha Burke lived a beautiful life, devoted to her faith, her family and her natural gift of helping others. Born August 14, 1940 in Gary, IN, to Bertram Jensen and Sally Harmon Jensen, Martha graduated from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Chicago; attended Loretto Heights Academy, Denver, and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a degree in education. On December 28, 1963, Martha married her childhood sweetheart, Denny Burke, with whom she raised six adoring sons. After twenty years as a homemaker, Martha taught 1st and 2nd grade students at Horace Mann and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Rapid City for the next 18 years. Upon her retirement, Martha dedicated innumerable hours counseling under-resourced women facing unplanned pregnancies; aiding newly diagnosed breast cancer patients; and giving her time and talent to her beloved Blessed Sacrament Parish. By the power of her example, Martha leaves behind a legacy of compassion, integrity and love. After a decade-long fight with cancer, Martha passed away peacefully on October 29, 2011, surrounded by a grateful family in her home in Rapid City, SD.Martha is survived by her husband, Denny; children, D.J. (Sheri), Gilbert, AZ; Tom, Asheville, NC; Bill (Ruthie), Houston, TX; Mike (Angie), River Falls, WI; Ryan, Phoenix AZ; and Kevin (Kim), Rapid City, SD; sister, Karen Marolf (Michael), Scottsdale, AZ; and 13 grandchildren: Dylan, Krista, Jack, Connor, Edie, Kalen, Eliza, Samantha, Lily, Emily, Elizabeth, Charlie and Luke. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Jensen; and granddaughter, Edith Malloy Burke. Martha will be missed by an extensive number of caring and supportive friends and family in Rapid City and beyond.