Jeanne “Jo” Marie (Burke) Lake, age 69, formerly of Caspian, Michigan, passed away Thursday, May 29, at Northpointe Assisted Living in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was born Oct. 5, 1955, in Munising, Michigan, to the late Joseph and Jean (Drake) Burke, where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School before graduating from William G. Mather High School in 1973.
Jeanne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Central Michigan University in 1977 and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Northern Michigan University in 1979. She then moved to Iron River, Michigan, where she started teaching night school, before becoming the manager at the Southwest Iron County Community Credit Union, which she later helped merge to the Central Iron County Credit Union, until retiring in 1995, after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Jeanne spent over 40 years in Iron County, where she raised her children, and was known by so many people for her many activities, passions and involvements. Over the years, she was an active member of her church, the Lions Club, the Elks Lodge, Iron County Kiwanis and Golden K, the West Iron County District Library and the local hospital auxiliary. She was a willing community volunteer and always believed in supporting her community.
Jeanne was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and well-known for her love of all West Iron County athletics. She could be found sitting at the 50-yard line during Wykon football season with her radio tuned to her favorite radio station, WIKB, for the very best play-by-play updates or right behind the home team at every Wykon basketball game held in the Charles Greenlund Gymnasium.
She loved playing bingo, collecting Precious Moments and Strawberries, going to rummage sales and “hunting for the best deal” and was always ready for a visit with a friend over a nice refreshing glass of ice-cold lemonade. She always remembered others with gifts that she thought would bring them joy and made sure that birthdays were remembered and celebrated. Whether through her kindness, smile or endless antics, she brought joy and laughter to those around her and those who knew her.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her father, Joseph; mother, Jean; brother, Billy; and dear friends, Robert and Elaine Andree.
Jeanne is survived and will be missed by her three children: Jeremy Charles Lake of Fordland, Missouri; Erica Lynn Larson (Philip) of Lemmon, South Dakota; and Erin Michelle Zarn (Edward) of Battle Creek, Michigan. She will be forever cherished and remembered as “Grandma JJ” by her six grandchildren, Ava, Hazel, Alexa, Payton, Edward and Ella, along with numerous close family members, including her brother Kevin Burke of Munising, Michigan; Aunt Toddie Tweedale of Inverness, Florida; Aunt Marie Broda of Munising, Michigan; and Aunt Paulette Drake of Au Train, Michigan.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. CST on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Grace Covenant Church in Iron River, Michigan, with a luncheon to follow. Pastor Lance Crevier, of First Lutheran Church, will officiate, with close family friend, Erika Sauter, providing accompaniment.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon EST on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising, Michigan, followed by a funeral service at noon with Vicar Elaine Robbins officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery.
Jeanne’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome. net.
