Sophie married Joseph M. Burke and they had three sons together. In 1956, Joe and Sophie built their first home together in a new development on the west side of Belleville, Illinois. With this newly developed west side, Our Lady Queen of Peace parish was built and Joe and Sophie were founding members. After retiring at the age of 76, she became an active member of the Parish Senior’s Social Club, as well as the parish quilter’s group who called themselves the “Wonder Women”.
To her family, Sophie was a Wonder Woman—a wonderful Mother who, after losing her husband and their Father at such a young age, demonstrated strength, grace and perseverance in times of adversity and hardship. She was an amazing baker whose delicious cookies made Christmas and Easter special celebrations. She was a beloved Mother, Sister, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and friend.
Sophie stayed home to raise her sons until her husband’s death on June 13,1959. After his death, she opened and operated a beauty salon in her home so she could be there when her sons came home from school. After closing the salon, Sophie accepted a position as Bookkeeper for the Obstetrics and Gynecology practice of Drs. Ferd and Stephen Mueller, MD and Dr. Stephen Mathus, MD until retiring in 1995.
Sophie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Burke and her parents, Louis and Anna Szwedo. Survivors include one sister, Mary (Szwedo) Swedo; three sons—Tom (Vicki) Burke of Eureka, MO; Joe (Deborah) Burke of Ballwin, MO; and Phil Burke of Belleville, IL, four grandchildren, Ryan (Story) Chester; Anna (Brian) King; Sarah Burke; and Sean Burke and seven great-grandchildren, Cyrus, Sajjen, Zorion, Azshur and Zenna Chester; and Liam and Thomas King; one niece, Jane (Ron) Morningstar and two nephews, Ray (Barb) Swedo; and Don (Merideth) Swedo.
The Burke family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at St. Andrew’s at Francis Place for their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions are welcome to: St. Andrew’s at Francis Place, 300 Forby Road, Eureka, MO 63025 (Please include note that your contribution is “In Honor of Sophie M. Burke”). Condolences may be expressed to the family online at: www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. and funeral mass at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 5915 N. Belt W, Belleville, IL 62223. Burial will be at St. Adalbert Cemetery, 9634-9636 Old Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Relatives and friends are welcome to a reception immediately following burial at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 8707 West Main St., Belleville, IL 62223.
Condolences Left For Sophie Burke
Burke Family : It was truly an honor to serve and care for your mother here at our community. I would like to thank the family for your generosity and friendship.
God bless you, you are in our thoughts and prayers,
Brad Queen
Brad Queen, Eureka, Mo., 63025
I’m extremely sorry for your family’s loss and am thinking of you during this time of grief and sadness. Please know that you are in my family’s prayers.
Roger Barrentine, Hillsboro, MO, 63050
What a remarkable lady! I had the pleasure of working and caring for Sophie. She was always worried about her sons, she loved them so much. God gained an angel! So thankful for her time here.
Bridgette Argus, O’Fallon, IL, 62269
My condolences to the Burke family. “Mrs. B” was like a second mother to me, always making sure I was comfortable when hanging out at the house – and always making sure Joe and I kept the straight and narrow. I have fond memories of this wonderful lady!
Rich Luecking, Pawleys Island, South Carolina, 29585
Tom and Vicki, Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Tom, I know how much your mother means to you. May you find comfort in knowing that she lives on in an eternal kingdom of beauty and light. God bless, Bryan & Michelle Herrick
Bryan Herrick, Eureka, MO, 63025
Aunt Sophie thank you so much for all the patience and kindness you showed me. Needless to say I was a bit of a handful growing up and you always tried to steer me in the right direction. Knowing how you raised your boys with such grace and dignity has helped me more than I can express with words. You will always have a very special place in my heart and will be missed dearly until we see each other again. I love you. Donnie
DON SWED, San Diego, Ca, 92024
Aunt Sophie thank you so much for all the patience and kindness you showed me. Needless to say I was a bit of a handful growing up and you always tried to steer me in the right direction. Knowing how you raised your boys with such grace and dignity has helped me more than I can express with words. You will always have a very special place in my heart and will be missed dearly until we see each other again. I love you. Donnie
DON SWED, San Diego, Ca, 92024
Tom, Joe and Phil,
Sorry that I missed the services for your Mom. I am out of town and won’t make it back in time. I will always remember her as the wonderful and kind person she was. It would have been good to see all of you again. Your mother will be in my prayers. Take care.
Don Rigney
Don Rigney,, Belleville, IL, 62226