Clarinda Burke
courtesy photo
Clarinda Burke
POLSON — Our Clar Bear passed away on June 8, 2017, in the early afternoon after a long battle with cancer and other serious health issues.
She was born Clarinda Diane Burke on Jan. 23, 1952, to Clifford Dennis Burke and Louise Caye Burke. She was the third oldest child of 13 children. As a young child, Clar had to step up and help care for her younger siblings, something she continued to do her whole life.
Clar was a natural wit and prankster and all the kids just loved her for that. They could also count on the best birthday and Christmas presents from her as she was a very generous person.
Clar was never one to back down from a challenge. Once she was challenged to a leg wrestle, and when she won … a legend was born. Competitors from near and far would challenge her, but Clar was always the toughest.
In her younger days, Clar traveled near and far, making friends along the way. She followed the powwow circuit, Indian basketball circuit, attended many conferences and seminars dealing with Indian education and Tribal Cultural Preservation, and she’s been to some big concerts in big cities. Yeah, she loved to travel with her crazy cousins and friends. March Madness was a big deal around Clar’s house. She had such fond memories of her many adventures.
Clar worked her entire life for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, mostly with the Kootenai Culture and then at the Tribal Cultural Preservation Department. She devoted her entire career to the preservation of her beloved Kootenai culture. She was a keeper of historic knowledge, so for those of you who were fortunate to have been schooled by her, you must carry on … you must honor Clar.
She was very civically active. She donated hours and hours to the Standing Arrow Powwow along with her buddies Cleo Kenmille and Rose Caye. They worked tirelessly throughout the years, fundraising for the annual event. Clar also organized and worked for many years at the culture camps for Kootenai youth and families. Clar loved kids and kids loved her. We hope that people will follow her example and give to their families and community in ways that Clar did.
Clar descended from the Colville Nation and the Kootenai Nation. She was so very proud of her huge families from Washington and Montana. Her immediate survivors are her daughter and son-in-law, Mandy and Dawa Numkena; her grandchildren, Hunter, Burke, Orion, Phoenix, Violet and new baby, Clarinda Louise Numkena; her brothers, Clifford (Shannon), Franny (Bonnie), Mike (Beans), Marlin (Tracey), Tyrone, Reuben, and Leonard “Whiskey Joe”; sisters, Clarissa and Marcella, Uncle William “Butch” Burke, Aunt Carol Edwards; and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Preceding Clar in death were her parents, Clifford Dennis Burke and Louise Caye Burke; her brother Willie; and sisters, Glenda and Wilma.
We’ll never forget you Clar, and thank you for all that you did for us. Have a great new adventure.
Services have been held.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
