Glenn Richard Burke

It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of our beloved father, Glenn Richard Burke, aka “Big Daddy” on March 11, 2025, just after midnight. Glenn was 93 years old. He was a loving husband, an amazingly supportive father (Daddy), sweetest and generous grandpa (Grampy), most fun uncle and the best friend one could have.

Glenn was born on July 14, 1931, in Fairfax, SD. He spent most his childhood in Bonesteel, SD. He worked on his uncle’s farm. Enjoyed dances, in every town that was close by, where he had plentiful dance partners. Glenn was known as the “Dude” during his youth.

Glenn met Mary Elizabeth Ford in Olympia, WA. They married three months later, on July 6, 1951. He went into the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, then in the Reserves until 1960. They made their home in Olympia.

Glenn worked at Stone’s Candy Cane Company; worked at a sawmill in downtown Olympia; and he worked at the Olympia (Pabst) Brewing Company, in Tumwater, until his retirement in 1991.

Glenn had an incredibly strong since of family, and loved being around all, both near and far. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting; salmon fishing; and golfing. He made so many wonderful memories with his nephews and his long-time friends from the Brewery. At hunting camp, he spent more time cooking (and eating) than hunting (which was all right with Mary). Glenn had a “hole in one” at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course as it happened early in the morning, he was golfing alone; however, a maintenance worker was his witness.

He and Mary loved their trips over the years to the Oregon Coast and Reno. Glenn has wonderful, faithful, and loving friends. If you were a friend of his, he was loyal, kind, and generous to all.

Glenn loved his animals so much. Over the years, he and Mary had several Boxer dogs. Tiger, wore sunglasses, seen riding with him in his MG sports car. Maddie, the Dalmatian, was his companion during outings to the Red Barn Tavern. He was constantly feeding the wildlife in his yard: squirrels, raccoons, various birds, ducks, and crows.

Glenn was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He volunteered at the Thurston County Humane Society, and at St. Peter Hospital for Christmas Forest.

Preceded in death, his parents, Edna and Ambrose Burke; wife, Mary Elizabeth Burke; sister, Joann Stoltenberg; brother, Dean Burke; nephew, Stuart Stoltenburg; nieces, Diane (Burke) Pavel and Christine (Stone) Schoonover.

Glenn is survived by his daughters, Glenna Marie Burke (Katrina Berg); and Nancy Anne Burke-Hall (Phillip Hall); grandchildren, Nicole Marie Gulley, and Riley Burke Hall; great grandchildren Preston Michael Gulley; and Paige Mary Marie Gulley.

Special thanks to his longtime companion Gretchen Hausmann.

Glenn had wonderful, helpful lifelong friends. If you were a friend of his, you knew he was loyal, kind, and generous to all. We will be eternally grateful to Steven Gulley; Lyle and Marlene Westhoff; Gayle Huck; Keith Crain and so many, many more that were so helpful to dad. David Cawthorn, Eucharistic Visitor has been a blessing to Glenn with his home visits, sharing stories and giving dad the sacrament.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joint Animal Services of Thurston County, 3120 Martin Way, Olympia, WA 98506.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.