Clarice Faye (Jerke) Burke

Clarice Faye (Jerke) Burke age 84 of Crofton, Nebraska died on Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Arbor Care Center in Hartington, Nebraska.

Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crofton with the Rev. Amanda Talley officiating. Burial will be at the Crofton City Cemetery in Crofton, NE. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

We will try and livestream her funeral.  You may go to www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live to view her service.

Pallbearers will be Chris Tieszen, Josh Goeden, Dan Jerke, Jeremy Bruna, Matthew Boelter, and Travis Boelter. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Clarice’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Clarice Faye (Jerke) Burke was born October 16, 1939 at home in rural Charles Mix County to Otto and Pearl (Uecker) Jerke. She grew up on a farm in the Avon and Dante area. She attended Rouse-74 country school and parochial school at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. She was a cowgirl from the beginning riding horses and listening to the Lone Ranger on the radio. She loved all animals, favoring horses and dogs. Her sisters recall her great talent of storytelling and woodcarving toys such as stick horses. To those lucky enough to hear, Clarice would be found yodeling while milking a cow or riding a horse.

 Clarice started her first job as a nanny for Dr. Baker and family at the Human Services Center in Yankton. She spoke fondly of her time with this family and enjoyed traveling with them. Around this same timeframe in 1958, Clarice married Chandler Olson from Mission Hill. To this union were daughters Carmen and Crystal. Clarice enjoyed raising her daughters and being back on the farm. Horseback riding was a great joy she carried over to her daughters. Clarice returned to working at the Human Services Center, Admissions Office, in the early 1970’s. She loved working in the historical Meade building and admired the beautiful marble staircase. In 2022, Clarice was able to tour the Meade building once again and posed on those same stairsteps. 

 In 1973, Clarice married Freeman Boelter from Crofton, NE. Together they raised each other’s children like their own. Clarice continued her love for animals and lived the dream of having many horses. They lived on an acreage outside of Crofton and were married for 35 years until Freeman’s passing in 2007. Friends and family recall the special tours Clarice would give of all her critters, including alpacas, llamas, peacocks, rabbits, chickens, etc. She loved her involvement with 4-H and helping prepare for the Knox County Fair. 

 Clarice’s work continued in the 1970’s as a school cook in Crofton and Bogner’s steakhouse. Her great interest in helping others led her into the medical field where she completed 25 years in state government at the Human Services Center, Physical Therapy Department. She completed her work career at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Physical Therapy. Clarice’s religious faith, willingness to help others, and love of animals carried over into the following: EMT for the Crofton Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 28 years, Trinity Lutheran Church-Council, Teacher, Bible Study, Rough Rider Saddle Club, 4-H Crofton Trailblazers, and the Humane Society.

 In Clarice’s later life, she married EJ Burke. She was able to travel within the U.S. and Canada. A highlight of her travels was touring the Holy Land with her very close friend Nancy Dowling. A favorite picture taken on this trip was Clarice riding a camel, not a horse! 

 Clarice is survived by her husband EJ Burke, daughters, Carmen (Duane) Tieszen of Mission Hill, SD, Crystal (Gary) Goeden of Pierre, SD, stepsons, Gary (Thalia) Boelter of Crofton, Doug (Sheila) Boelter of Algona, IA, stepdaughters, Marilyn Poppe of Yankton, SD, and Pat (Bo) Wheeler of Crofton; Grandchildren, Chelsea (Nate) Tieszen-Mulder, Chris (Noelle) Tieszen, Josh Goeden, A.J. Goeden; Jamie (Kristy) Poppe, Jason (Erica) Poppe, Jessica (Wes) Christensen, T.J. (Rachel) Wheeler, Sherri Wheeler, Tara Wheeler, Beau Marie (Jesse) Huerta, Justin (Tracy) Wheeler, Matthew Boelter, Travis (Jenna) Boelter, Kayla Boelter, Zach Boelter and Jenna Boelter; 22 great grandchildren; Siblings, Lois (Ron) Willman, Wilma Estes, Gary (Susan) Jerke, Donna (Ron) Bruna and many nieces and nephews.

 She is preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Pearl Jerke, Her siblings Clifford Jerke, Delores Peters, Glen Jerke, Shirley Gibson; former husband Chandler Olson and husband Freeman Boelter. 

Cards may be sent to the following: Clarice Burke family- 616 North Central Avenue -Pierre, SD 57501