Francis Burke, Sr.
courtesy photo
Francis Burke, Sr.
PABLO — Franny’s illness was swift, not leaving us with much time to spend with him. He left this earth on July 16, 2018, leaving many devastated family and friends.
He was born on July 3, 1953, in Nespelem, Washington. Franny was Kootenai/Colville from large families in both Montana and Washington. He had friends from all over the country.
Franny was an accomplished artist. He dabbled in oils, pencils, pens. He could turn wood, bone, tree conks and whatever into beautiful pieces of art. He could literally make something out of nothing. And he did beautiful calligraphy.
We will all miss his wicked sense of humor. All the boys loved to hang with him to hear his dirty jokes. He was a quick wit, and so he usually had the last laugh.
Franny was well-schooled in his Indian culture. He knew old stories and old songs and he loved to hunt and fish.
Ever the animal lover, Franny always had pets. His beloved dogs, Sarge and Louie, and cat, Mimzy, will certainly miss him. Animals trusted him and obeyed him without pause. “He was fair, kind and wasn’t a bully,” according to his friend Brooks. And so the animals must have sensed that about him.
Franny has moved on to meet up with his departed family and friends: His second wife, Lois; his parents Dennis Burke and Louise Caye Burke; his brothers, Clifford, Willy and Keith Mohr; his sisters, Glenda, Wilma and Clarinda; and his granddaughter, Dominique.
Surviving him are his wife, Bonnie; his children, Ina (Benji), Mandy (Dowa), Josiah (Billie), Jolanda, Brittany (Sean), Whitney (Magnus), and Francis, Jr.; his step-children Kristin, Mena, Sarah (Bryan), Alabama, Ruby (Jordan), and Destiny; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Hunter, Burke, Orion, Phoenix, Violet, Clar Bear, Deandre, Amaiya, Jacoby, King, Jada, Jaleah, Neah’miya, Amani, Kaige, Alicia, Rylah, Mellers, Ronnie, Junior, Sera and Jeremiah; his brothers, Mike (Beans), Marlon (Tracy), Tyrone, Reuben (Niya), and Leonard “Whiskey Joe”; his sisters, Clarissa, Marcella, Shannon; his uncle, Butch Burke; his auntie, Carol Edwards; his many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and his “oldest living friend,” Bear Salois.
Services have been held. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com. The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the Burke family with Franny’s arrangements.
