Evelyn Lou Burke

Evelyn Lou (Brigham) Burke, 94, passed early on December 26, 2025, at the Brookdale Claire Bridge Memory Care in Overland Park, KS, with her daughters at her side. Evelyn was born in Lansing, MI, ultimately moving with her parents and four siblings to Madison, WI, where she graduated from East High School, and subsequently earned an AA degree from Graceland College in Lamoni, IA. While Evelyn was teaching high school English in Earlville, IA, she met Don Burke whom she eventually married on March 29, 1952. The family moved frequently across seven states following Don’s career as they raised three children, Kim, Tary and Cindy. When Cindy graduated from High School, they moved again to build their dream home in the deep woods of Central Wisconsin, and continued their family-oriented travels both near and far, long after retirement. They celebrated 70 years of marriage before Don’s death in 2022.

As a teenager in 1949, Evelyn wrote her first book, an 80-page travel log covering their family’s 6-week road trip through the Rocky Mountains and points West. Her daily log detailed the morning temperature, number of miles driven, activities and which of her siblings complained the most. It was only natural, then, that Evelyn worked in libraries in a variety of schools ranging from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, West High School in Madison, WI and an elementary school in Hancock, WI. As an adult, Evelyn’s short stories were published through the Sand Quill Writers Club in Central Wisconsin.

Don and Evelyn were widely involved in family, church and community affairs, including becoming foster parents to numerous newborns and toddlers. Evelyn was elected as the Hancock, WI County Clerk. Over the years, more than 250 of Evelyn’s soft handmade dolls found their way into the arms of many children including in Emergency Services for children involved in accidents or illness, and also to the local County Foster Services Program. In addition to doll-making, she loved creating quilts, sewing Prairie-era dresses, making event costumes and all forms of nature art. Her first granddaughter referred to Evelyn as the “Great Creator.”

Throughout her life, Evelyn traveled with Don to most of the United States including Hawaii and to several countries including Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Mexico. They loved visiting family, and traveling as members of the Wisconsin Woodlands Association. Evelyn was a serious gardener and generously preserved, served and shared her garden produce. She loved working on puzzles and playing Dominoes and Scrabble whenever the family gathered, providing an endless supply of prizes to go with her handmade seasonal Bingo sets and holiday greeting cards. Evelyn was a life-long member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and ordained as a Priest she taught Children’s Sunday School and Summer Camp Nature classes most of her adult life.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Kim (Nancy) Burke, Tary (Mark) Stayton, and Cindy Hensley, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Herbert (Karen) Brigham, and one sister Helen Neely. She was predeceased by her husband Don Burke, her sister Margaret Black, sister Anita (and Karl) Koehler, infant brother Robert Brigham, son-in-law Bill Hensley, brother-in-law John Neely, brother-in-law Murl Black, and all of Don’s five siblings and their spouses.

The family will receive visitors at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. at Speaks Suburban Chapel on 18020 East 39th St. S., Independence, MO 64055.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Evelyn’s name to:

Mother's Refuge, 14400 E 42nd St S, # 220, Independence, MO 64055 https://www.mothersrefuge.org/