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Burke -- Ausma (Melkerts) Burke, 68, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2002. She had struggled with breast cancer in 1991 and its eventual return in 2000. She was a resident of Albuquerque. She was born on August 26, 1933 in Riga, Latvia. Her parents were Hugo and Austra (Lindbergs) Melkerts. In the spring of 1949, Ausma came with her mother, aunt, sister and brother to New York City, NY. In 1952, the family relocated to Albuquerque. Ausma met her future husband, Buddy L. Burke and they were married on June 18, 1955. Ausma and Buddy had their son, Sheldon in Albuquerque. They then relocated to Great Falls, MT and on to Lincoln, NE. Their daughters, Cynthia and Barbara were born in Lincoln, NE. Moving on to Monmouth, IL; Ausma became a U.S. citizen. The Burkes continued their travels, living in Rock Island, IL; Clinton, IA; and the suburbs of Indianapolis, IN. Ausma worked for J.C. Penney as an office cashier for the majority of her career in Greenwood, IN. She retired in 1995. Ausma was an avid gardener, seamstress and hobbyist. She made beautiful handmade quilts, pillows, placemats, pot holders and Christmas ornaments. She also became interested in scrapbooking. Ausma was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Barbara A. Burke in 1984; and her son, Sheldon A. Burke in 1992. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN. Ausma and Buddy returned to Albuquerque in June 2001. She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church of Albuquerque as her health permitted. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Buddy L. Burke. She is also survived by her daughter, Cynthia L. Burke of Greenwood, IN. Other survivors are her sister and brother-in-law, Maija (Melkerts) Adcox and Bill Adcox of Albuquerque; and her brother and sister-in-law, Valdis Victors Melkerts and Pat Melkerts of Ruidoso. Other survivors are niece, Debra Moyers and daughter, Maija Moyers and niece, Tammy Adcox and family, Mike, Marisa and Monica Demarco, all of Albuquerque; nephew and wife, Steve and Rita Adcox and children, Sean, Kyle and Chad, nephew and wife, Mark and Barbara Adcox and son, Moon Simpson, all of Albuquerque; cousin-in-law, Mary Swank and family, Kraig, Traci, Noah, and Jenna Sanchez, all of Albuquerque; cousin removed, Cheryl Hamm and daughter, Laurel of Moriarty and cousin removed, Scott Hamm of Camarillo, CA. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, April 25, 2002, at 4:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with Pastor Lemuel M. Boyles officiating. Additional memorial services will be held at a later date at First Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN. Burial will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greenwood, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas NE, 87110. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Thursday, April 25, 2002, 3:00 p.m. until time of service.
        Published on: Thu April 25, 2002