Clarinda Diane Burke

CLARINDA DIANE BURKE

Our Clar Bear passed away on June 8, 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 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.  She was never one to back down from a challenge. Once she was challenged to leg wrestle, she won, and then 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 at the Kootenai Culture, 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 civic-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, fund-raising 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, countless cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceding Clar in death were her parents, Clifford Dennis Burke and Louise Caye Burke, brother Willie, 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.

Wake services were held in Elmo on Saturday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at the Community Hall. A rosary was held on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. followed by funeral services on Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Dayton Cemetery. 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.