Susan Louise “VanNice” Burke passed away surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, compassion, kindness, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Mary Katherine Burke; her parents, Bill and Babe VanNice of Sunrise Lake, Missouri; and two babies whom her family never had the opportunity to know.

Susan was raised in Kirkwood, Missouri, where she enjoyed an active childhood filled with Girl Scouts, Mariner Scouts, youth sports, and time spent camping with her parents and sister Betty. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and worked as a lifeguard before graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1963 and pursuing her lifelong calling in nursing.

She earned her Registered Nursing degree from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, later completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of St. Francis and a Master of Arts in Medical Cultural Anthropology from Memphis State University. Susan was especially proud of earning straight A’s in both her bachelor’s and master’s programs and often joked that nursing school wasn’t all A’s because she was too busy dating Mike.

Susan dedicated her life to caring for others. She served as an operating room nurse for more than 30 years and later worked as a hospital and nursing home MDS Coordinator until retirement. Her compassion and professionalism defined both her career and her life.

Her faith was the foundation of who she was. Susan was an active member of Atoka Methodist Church for 28 years, serving as newsletter editor for 15 years, helping establish the annual Fall Festival, and organizing the monthly “Out to Lunch” gatherings that brought people together in fellowship.

Susan met the love of her life, Mike, and would often say she “stole him right out of his mother’s arms.” They married in 1967 and shared nearly 59 wonderful years together as husband and wife, best friends, and constant companions. They cherished their peaceful home in Tipton County, Tennessee, and found joy in life’s simple moments. When asked the secret to a successful marriage, she would laugh and say, “Whoever leaves first has to take the kids and the dog!”

Susan poured her heart into her family. She was a devoted mother to Bill, Anne, and Mary Katherine, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a Girl Scout leader, coached girls’ softball to five championships, and spent countless hours supporting the Tipton County 4-H Horse Club and attending horse shows with her grandchildren.

She loved camping, water skiing, canoeing, and especially horses, finding great joy in riding and sharing that passion with others. She also loved dogs and dog training; her Sheltie, Sunny (Summer’s Touch of Sunshine), became one of the Top 100 obedience dogs in the United States. Susan was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and served as Past President of the Tipton County Republican Women. She also devoted herself as the primary caregiver for her daughter Katie throughout her extended illness.

Susan is survived by her loving husband, Mike Burke; her son, Bill Burke; her daughter, Anne Crow, and son-in-law, Randall Crow; her sister, Betty Buersmeyer, and brother-in-law, Dale Buersmeyer; and her nephew, Mark Buersmeyer.

She also leaves behind the grandchildren she adored: Whitney, Lauren, Julia, William, Katherine, Taylen, Braeden, and Avery; and her treasured great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Adalynn, Liam, Isaiah, Kaison, Lillian, and a great-grandson, Fletcher, expected later this year.

Susan’s life was one of service, faith, and unconditional love. She gave her whole heart to her family, her work, and her community. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of all who knew her.