Betty Ann Burke

Betty Ann (Pletzer) Burke, 88, a long-time resident of Westlake Hills and a founding member of Westlake United Methodist Church, died on June 4, 2012. Betty was born in Dallas, Texas on January 25, 1924 to George Frederick and Lila (Morris) Pletzer.

She was a graduate of Garland High School and a noted athlete in a number of sports, much to the dismay of her mother, who would have preferred Betty Ann (as everybody called her back then) to be interested in dolls and sewing rather than in climbing trees and playing baseball and basketball with the neighborhood boys and her brother George.

She attended Arlington State University after high school, but her academic career was cut short when Betty opted to support the war effort by becoming a traveling singer in USO shows for the troops and also working for the War Department in Dallas, where she was awarded a Civilian Service Award for Meritorious Service.

She married Harold Burke at her parent's home in Dallas in May 1948. Betty supported Harold's long career with Dr. Pepper in Dallas and later in San Antonio. She ran a very active household that grew to include three boys (Steve, Jim, and David) and one girl (Susan). The family relocated to Austin in 1970 to follow Harold's dream of business ownership, participating in the start-up of a Big Red soft-drink bottling company in Austin.

Betty and Harold, along with a handful of other couples, began meeting together in 1971 to establish Westlake United Methodist Church, eventually acquiring the current property on Red Bud Trail and holding worship services outdoors there with folding chairs and an improvised rock and wood cross prior to the commencement of their building program.

After Harold's untimely passing in 1977, Betty turned her energies and talents towards her children, a growing flock of grandchildren, her church, its choir and other programs, and numerous service and volunteer activities. She served as President of Volunteers for Vision, and was active in leadership roles in her garden club and orchid society.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, George Frederick Pletzer, Jr. She is survived by her sons, Steven Harold Burke, James Robert Burke, and David George Burke, and her daughter, Susan Burke Rambin. Betty is also survived by eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives.

The family thanks the caregivers of the assisted living and skilled nursing floors at The Summit at Westlake Hills for their many years of dedicated service to Betty. Their special musical programs always brought a big smile to Betty's face when she recognized (and usually sang along with) a favorite hymn or a beloved Big Band or Western Swing tune.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 7th at Weed-Corley-Fish, 3125 North Lamar. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th at the church, 1460 Redbud Trail. Betty requested that any contributions in her memory be directed to the Westlake United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.