Michael Burke
Michael loved life and lived it to the fullest. He did more in his short 27 years than most do in a full lifetime. He will be missed terribly by all those whose lives he touched.
Biography of Michael Burke — An Amazing Life Story
Michael Thomas Burke, 27, of New York City, New York, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 1:00 am, July 25, 2005 when a tree struck his tent during a storm in Sheldon, Iowa. Born June 7, 1978 at Fort Madison, Iowa, he was the son of Thomas & Bette Winnike Burke of Donnellson.
Survivors include three sisters: Stephanie (Matt) Raiff and their two children Olivia & Jackson of Scottsdale, Arizona, Angie (Damon) Miller of Phoenix, Arizona, & Jennifer Burke of Phoenix, Arizona. Michael graduated from Central Lee High School of Donnellson in 1996, valedictorian of his class.
He received an industrial engineering degree from the University of Iowa in 2001, where he was a member of Theta Tau engineering fraternity. While at the University of Iowa he traveled around the country singing with the Newman Singers. Michael spent a semester studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
After graduation he worked for Accenture Consulting in Chicago, Illinois for three years, then in New York City for one year. Before beginning work with Accenture, he and three of his college friends traveled through Europe for a week and then Michael backpacked alone through Ireland for an additional week. His work took him on projects throughout the United States and in Manila, Philippines. While in Manila, he learned how to scuba dive, a rarity for a "farm boy". He snow skied and snowboarded on mountains from coast to coast. Michael also rode his bicycle across the state of Iowa with college friends three times. He was on his fourth consecutive trip when a fierce storm passed through Sheldon, Iowa, where he was camping with friends, and the tragic accident occured.
As busy as he was with his work, Michael always found time for fun, family and friends. He enjoyed Hawkeye games, following the St. Louis Cardinals, just hanging out and making everybody laugh, and leaving something important along the way.
Michael loved life and lived it to the fullest. He did more in his short 27 years than most do in a full lifetime. He will be missed terribly by all those whose lives he touched.