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Barbara Ann Ellis Burke

Barbara Ann Ellis Burke

Nov. 25, 1944 ~ Feb. 23, 2018

Barbara Ann Ellis Burke was born November 25, 1944 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Herbert Roswell & Florence Elva Ellis. She was second to the youngest of 16 children.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Burke, her parents, and brothers Bill and Donnie. She is survived by her sisters, Lena Worsham, Myrtle Alston, Martha Racknagle, brother Wesley Ellis, and sisters Katherine and Margaret, plus 18 nephews and nieces.

Barbara & her siblings lived in the Corsecana Orphanage in Texas for seven years, then moved to Salem, Oregon in 1959. They moved to Brogan in 1970.

Barbara met Bob Burke in 1971, and they were so smitten with each other they married in 1971. They lived in John Day for 20 years, then Brogan, then settled in Ontario and traveled to Quartzsite, Arizona during winter months.

Barbara and Bob loved to travel, go fishing, rock hunting, and being with friends & family. Bob passed away in 2002.

Barbara was a hard worker, learning with her family to prune trees, pick apples, beans, cherries, and how to maintain a fields of strawberries. Later, she worked in restaurants; then in Brogan, she worked for the Harada family and the McGordys.

Brogan was her favorite place, but no matter where she lived, she knew everyone and was a friend to all. Barb was cantankerous, bull-headed and stubborn. But she was nice and kind, sweet and funny and she was loyal and a good sister.

Barbara Ann Ellis Burke passed away February 23, 2018, in Ontario at the age of 73. Graveside services will be held at the Brogan Cemetery on March 16 at 11 a.m. With a potluck following at the Brogan school.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Brogan Society are appreciated.