Merry Colleen Burke

Merry Colleen Burke passed away on April 10th, 2015 after an illness of over two years. Merry was filled with love, hope, and desire to continue watching her wonderful children and especially her beautiful grandchildren grow, develop, and be happy. Merry's relationships with her children and grandchildren were the most special and important part of her life.
Merry was born in Missoula on August 23rd, 1950 to parents William J. and Valeta J. Burke. Her very happy childhood was spent at the family home on Burlington Avenue. She attended Paxson School and both Hellgate and Sentinel High Schools. Merry was a cheerleader and a member of homecoming royalty at both High Schools. In 1968, Merry was the Sentinel High School Homecoming Queen. She attended St. Patrick School of Nursing, graduating in June 1971. Merry's career as an RN spanned nearly 40 years bringing her great joy, growth, reward, and pride. Working as a nurse in ER proved to be a perfect fit for Merry. She deeply valued her professional relationships with law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, peers, and physicians. Many patients and families Merry cared for touched and changed her life. Several of Merry's hospital co-workers became her most cherished friends. Her service at St. Patrick Hospital included 10 years as a Life Flight Nurse and over 15 years as a Charge Nurse in the ER. In 1986, Merry was the nurse on the Life Flight helicopter that crashed in the Idaho wilderness.
Merry married Bruce E. Minckler in 1974. Their marriage of over 10 years blessed them with three amazing children, Chad Shane, Ryan Edward, and Sarah Colleen. A few years ago, Sarah asked Merry what life achievement she was most proud of. Merry answered, "My children."
Merry was preceded in death by her parents William J. and Valeta J. Burke, by her infant sister Sara Burke, by her brother Michael Burke, by Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Minckler, by John Magaret, by her bother-in-law Ken Hendrick, and by her two incredible friends Joyce Swingendorf and John Samhammer.
Merry is survived by her children, Chad Shane and his beautiful wife Kimberly Minckler, Major Ryan Edward Minckler of the U.S. Army, and Sarah Colleen Minckler, as well as her four beautiful grandsons, Noah and Elliot Minckler and Joco and Vonn Silva.
Merry is also survived by her siblings, Barry Burke, Shannon Roske, and Kelli Hedrick, as well as her dear nephews and nieces, Jon and Sally Roske, John and Kelleen Roseboom, Samantha Eanes, Heather Rothman, and Jolene Burke.
Visitation will be on April 18th, 2015 at 9am at Garden City Funeral Home, with services beginning at 10am. Directly following, there will be gravesite services at Missoula Cemetery where we will release white, silver, and sky blue balloons in honor of Merry. A few months ago, Merry said to her beloved grandson Joco, "One day when I go to Gramma Heaven I'm going to ask if I can be an Angel." You always were, mom. God Bless.

Read Merry Burke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.