Ethel May Burke

Ethel Burke, 83, of Redwood Falls died Friday, February 13, 2015 at Mayo Hospital in Mankato. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are with Nelson-Martin Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelsonmartinfuneralservice.com. Ethel May Burke, the daughter of Alva and Maggie (Smelcer) Downing, was born September 13, 1931 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. At a very young age, Ethel moved with her family to Hutchinson, Kansas. She grew up in Hutchinson and received her formal education there. On April 15, 1950, Ethel married Gerald “Ken” Burke in Hutchinson. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Two Harbors, Minnesota. Ethel and Ken were blessed with four children. In the early 1960s, the family moved to Bemidji where Ken attended Oak Hills Bible Institute. They were called to churches in Backus and Silver Bay before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1969 where Ken attended seminary. In 1971, they returned to Minnesota to pastor the First Baptist Church in Redwood...