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Mary Lou Burke, 92, of Creston, died Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Pastor Delores Doench will officiate the service. Burial will be at a later date in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Open visitation with family receiving friends will be 1-2 p.m. Sunday, March 12 at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in Mary Lou’s name. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Mary Louise Burke was born Nov. 21, 1930, the daughter of Ernest Simeon and Katherine Frances (Adcock) Worden, in McPherson, Kansas. Mary Lou graduated from Fredonia, Kansas High School with the class of 1948. She furthered her education studying at Phillips Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
On Sept. 21, 1952, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Herman Fehrle in Creston. They settled in the Kent area. Mary Lou began postal work in Prescott and Creston. She later served as postmaster of the Arispe Post Office and helped with others. Mary Lou and Herman were blessed with three children, Kathy, Julie and Rick. Herman died in 1979.
On June 5, 1982, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Ernest William Burke at the Platte Center Church south of Creston. They settled on a farm southwest of Creston. Mary Lou continued with her postal work and helped with farm bookkeeping, taxes and some of the farm work. In later years, she helped her daughter Julie at the Dairy Queen in Creston for a number of years.
Mary Lou was an active member of the Platte Center Church, neighborhood club, former president of the V.F.W. Auxiliary Post 1797 of Creston and the Old Time Power Club. She also enjoyed bus trips with friends to visit many different destinations.
Mary Lou is survived by her husband Ernie Burke of Creston; daughter, Julie (Alan) Shaffer of Creston; son Rick (Regan) Fehrle of Creston; two stepsons, Kenneth Burke of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Andy Burke of Creston; six grandchildren: Steve and Kyle Shaffer, Alex Waller and Kerry Dueholm and Ann and Jae Fehrle; five great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law Charles (Julia) Burke of Cheyenne; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, husband Herman Fehrle, a daughter Kathy (Jeff) Waller, a grandson Zachary Hansen, brother Kim Worden, and three brothers-in-law, Harry (Velma) Fehrle, Carl (Norma) Fehrle and Ralph (Verna) Burke.