Melanie Jean Burke, 60

Published 8:48 am Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Melanie Jean (Clasen) Burke, 60, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at her home in Duluth, Minnesota.

Melanie was born on Oct. 29, 1958, in Austin, Minnesota, to James and Jean (Evans) Clasen. She was raised in Austin, where she attended Sumner Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School in 1977. After graduation, Melanie studied at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Melanie married Thomas Burke on Dec. 8, 1991, and lived in Superior, Wisconsin. They later divorced, but remained close friends.

Melanie was employed by Regency Home HealthCare Agency and spent much of her life helping others receive quality, loving in-home care. She enjoyed her duties as office coordinator and took pride in scheduling skilled caregivers to serve the agency’s clients.

Melanie, a long time resident of Duluth, enjoyed living near Lake Superior and the weather of Northern Minnesota, where she raised her son and granddaughters. She enjoyed listening to music; her favorite playlists included Motown oldies and R&B. You could often hear Melanie singing karaoke for her friends and family. Melanie’s love for cooking inspired her granddaughters to join her in the kitchen, as they affectionately nicknamed her the “Paula Deen of the North.”

Melanie enjoyed time during many summers at the family cabin in Cross Lake, Minnesota. Following in her father’s footsteps, her green thumb enhanced the cabin’s landscape with beautiful flower plantings. Additional hobbies included playing board games, completing crossword puzzles, and reading the next bestselling novel. She was a lover of all things Harry Potter and enjoyed binge watching movie reruns with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Tom; and longtime friend, Steve Goines.

Melanie is survived by her son, Jeffrey Clasen, of Midland, Texas; granddaughters, Daisha, Tawney, Rachel and Maura; sister, Julie (Geri Estvanik) Clasen of Berwyn, Illinois; brother, Dave (Leanne) Clasen of Austin; niece, Alexandra (Erik) Sherman, and their son, Brooks; nephews, Sam, Seth and Isaac Clasen; uncle, D. Gerywn (Margaret) Evans of Pencoed, Wales; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N 11th Ave. East, Duluth, MN 55805, with the Rev. Kathy Nelson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.