James Francis Burke Jr.

Jim was born April 21, 1938, in Hibbing, MN. The son of Ellen (Karl) and James Francis Burke Sr. He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1956. Raised in Kelly Lake MN, he spent his youth swimming and lifeguarding at Kelly Lake beach. His love for swimming led him to be a state champion swimmer his senior year. After high school, he volunteered for the draft and entered the Army, serving proudly as a ham radio operator in Germany. He came home to marry his high school sweetheart Alice (Erickson). They moved to California on their honeymoon, chasing his dream to be an LA policeman. Being a true Minnesotan, he moved back home and raising his family in St. Paul Park, MN.

Family was most important to Jim. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, aunt, uncles, and cousins, his wife Alice, sister Kathleen, brother Patrick, and grandson Zachary. He is survived by his significant partner Barbara Bjellos of Hibbing, MN; children: Tracy (Bill) Barnhart of Cottage Grove; James III of Ely, MN; Kelley (Ron) Puppe of Woodbury, MN; Grandchildren: Billy, Jack, Ellen (Grant), James IV, Mark, Isabelle, Leah, Michelle; sister Mary Ellen (Mike) Gustafson of Kelly Lake, MN.

After retiring as a security guard from Unisys Corporation, he went on to enjoy learning to play the banjo, mastering wood carving, and delighted in a game cribbage. Jim was a talented artist and was able to make many friends through wood carving, even being the first US representative of Arbortech an Australian wood carving tool company.

He will be most remembered for his sense of humor and love of life.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Boulder Ponds and LIfespark staff for the love and exceptional care provided to us and to our dad in his last days.

We invite you all to wear red (his favorite color) and to share memories at his celebration of life on May 18th. It was his wish that we would laugh, reminisce, and smile together during this time.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM with Visitation one hour prior to service, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Dr., Woodbury, MN 55125.