Valena Harper Burke

Valena Harper Burke
12/28/1916 - 01/14/2007
90 years old

Valena Harper Burke went to heaven on Sunday, January 14th at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire. Valena was born December 28, 1916 in Beaver City, NE to Ross & Margaret (Jones) Harper. Her father was the first attorney to practice in Furnas County, NE. Her mother, Margaret was a school teacher. She had two older brothers, Dana and Leo. Valena grew up in Beaver City and received a teaching certificate at the University of Nebraska. Valena taught in a one room school K - 12 for 2 years and then attended the University of Nebraska for 3 years.

The fall of 1939 she obtained a job teaching grade school in Bloomfield, NE. She met her husband, Julius William Burke there who was also a new teacher. They were married March 24, 1940 at her family home. They honeymooned in Mexico City in the summer of 1940 while her husband attended a University in Mexico City. They taught school in Council Bluffs, IA and South Sioux City, NE. Then her husband entered the Navy as a Lieutenant and served in WWII where they were based in New Orleans for six years. On September 15, 1945 their sole daughter, Judith Susan Burke was born. Following the war, Bill taught in several Naval schools including Dartmouth and Princeton.

In 1947, they moved to Greeley, Colorado where her husband received his Masters degree in Education and Psychology. A year later, they moved to Denver, CO where they lived for seven years. During this time Bill was getting his Phd and Valena received her bachelor's degree at the University of Denver in Elementary Education (major) and Psychology (minor) in 1951. During this time, she began three decades of volunteer work for Alpha Chi Omega National Fraternity beginning as a chapter advisor and then serving as a Province President in many mid-west states. She served as an officer on the national council for 12 years. In 1953, the family moved to Mankato, MN where Bill was a professor at Mankato State University.

Valena was a remedial reading teacher in Garden City, MN and later served as Principal at Morristown, MN grade school. On Dec 20, 1962 her beloved husband, Julius William "Bill" Burke died. She graduated with a Masters of Science in Guidance and Counseling in August 1963 from Mankato State University. She was an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education and Student Teacher Supervisor at Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN. From 1964 to 1967 she was Dean of Women at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.

In 1967, she became Associate Dean of Students at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. After 15 years at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire she retired in 1982. Throughout her professional life, her contributions to student life at the various universities and schools have been numerous. She served as Administrator of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Children's Center and was instrumental in its development. "I thought it was important for parents to have a place to take their children so they could return to school," Valena said. Three honor societies were establishes on campus due to her efforts: Mortor Board, Alpha Lamba Delta and SophS. Throughout all her years, Burke was advisor for Panhellenic, an inter-sorority council. Dean Burke said "I really feel good about the stability our sororities have had at University of Wisconsin - EC. We didn't lose our groups during the 60's as most schools did."

Another of Burke's contributions was the establishment of Residence Hall Judicial Boards. Burke said, "It seemed appropriate that students should be responsible for their own system of discipline."

Burke was a member of numerous honor societies including Alpha Lamba Delta, SophS, Mortor Board, Phi Eta Sigma, and Phi Kappa Phi. She served on the membership committee and university directorate of the National Association of Women Deans and Counselors and was Treasurer of the Wisconsin Society for Higher Education.

She has also been listed in "Who's Who of American Women" and was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women in education.

Valena Harper Burke is survived by her daughter, Judith Susan Heintz and son-in-law, Robert Heintz of San Diego, CA and her AFS daughter, Anne-Marie Egero of Stockholm, Sweden. Six surviving grandchildren: Jeffrey Heintz of Los Angeles, CA; Anne-Marie Hodkinson (Mark) of San Jose, CA; Dr Christina (Martin) Simonette of St Peter, MN; Dr Lisa Carlstrom of Modesto, CA; Stephanie Carlstrom of Santa Rosa, CA; and Jonathon Heintz of Gulfport, MS. Four beautiful great-grandchildren: Courtney, Luke, and Drew Simonette, and Spencer Hodkinson. Four surviving nieces: Doris (Dean) Davis, Evansville, Indiana; Florine (Robert) Theobold, Grand Island, NE; Patti(Glenn) Schurman, Tiburon, CA; and Shirley (James) Lotzgesell, Oak Harbor, WA. Valena was preceded in death by an infant daughter and her husband, Julius William (Bill) Burke.

Valena loved gardening, duplicate bridge, gourmet cooking, reading, and her family.

Valena touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."

Memorial services will be Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 1 pm at the Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home officiated by Rev Jim McKay of Chapel Heights United Methodist Church. Friends are invited to call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home to meet with the family. Burial will be at a later date.

To offer online condolences, please go to www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.