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OBITUARYBARBARA MATTISON BURKEJULY 11, 1924 – JULY 4, 2016Barbara Eleanor (Mattison) Burke, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Kalkaska on Monday, July 4, one week before her 92nd birthday. Barbara was born on July 11, 1924, in Cadillac, Michigan to John Michael Mattison and Minnie Elizabeth Huffman. Her parents were of Danish and German descent. Barbara grew up in Cadillac and graduated from Cadillac High School in 1942. She met her husband and love of her life, Kenneth J. Burke, in Cadillac after he returned from the war in Europe and they were married on March 15, 1946. They enjoyed life together for over 56 years before Ken passed away in 2002.Barbara was a loving, supportive wife and encouraging mother. Barb, Ken and family moved from Cadillac to Manton in 1956 and finally to Kalkaska in 1971 as Ken was promoted within the Cadillac State Bank / National Bank of Detroit. Ken and Barb were inseparable and spent many years after they retired traveling between homes in Kalkaska and Kissimmee, Florida. Barb also enjoyed traveling with Ken in their RV throughout the U.S. and later with her son and daughter on several cruises to Mexico, Alaska, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.Mom was an excellent cook and always enjoyed baking the most delicious pastries for her family. Her holiday dinners and summer picnics were legendary.She was also an avid reader and a talented knitter. She was always reading or knitting something and made many sweaters, hats, mittens and throws for family and friends. She even operated a knit clothing business for several years while living in Manton in the 1960’s. Best of all, Mom loved and enjoyed her family – her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She will be sorely missed.She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, in 2002 and her grandson, Kenneth Cook, in 2015. She is survived by her son, Michael Burke (Jose) of Emeryville, California and her three daughters, Kandace Douglas (Ralph) of Cadillac, Kathryn Thomas (Jim) of Nichols, New York and Lisa Richards (Chris) of Wentzville, Missouri; four grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac.

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Barbara Eleanor Burke

July 11, 1924 - August 1, 2016