(Reita) Beth Burke passed away on June 3, 2020 in Fort Collins, CO.
She was born February 16, 1945 in Great Bend, KS, the daughter of
Everett and Ruth (Renner) Wilson.
Beth graduated from Larned High
School (’62) and earned a Bachelors (’66) and Masters (’70) of Science
from Kansas State University. She married Dan Burke in 1976 in Rock
Port, MO. They were married 16 years before divorcing. She resided in
Rock Port, MO from 1970 to 2014 and then moved to Fort Collins, CO.
Beth was a Consumer and Family Economics Specialist for University of
Missouri Outreach and Extension in Atchison County, MO for 32 years.
She won multiple service awards during her tenure in that role. After
retirement she volunteered in several organizations in Rock Port, MO.
She had a love for purple iris and red cardinals.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Merle; and sisters Louise Unruh and Darlene Smika and nephew Thayne Smika.
Survivors
include nieces Rejeana and her husband Wendell Green; Lavona
Wolfersperger; Tava and her husband Rob Owens; Deanne Unruh; and nephew,
Ray and his wife Sally Unruh.
Memorial service will be at a later time. Inurnment will be at Larned Cemetery in Larned, KS.
Memorials
may be given to Pawnee County (KS) 4-H Foundation, Atchison County (MO)
Fair Board, and the Atchison County (MO) Memorial Building Foundation
all in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.
Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.