Gary Jerome Burke

Gary Jerome Burke, age 79, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Gary was born on August 3, 1946, in San Diego, California, to Donald "Don" and Phyllis Burke.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Darlene; his children Eric Burke (Cathy), Mark Burke (Jackie), and Amy (Bill); and his stepsons Robert Serpico (Kim), and William Serpico (Sarah). He was a proud grandfather to 10 grandchildren and a great-grandfather to five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Don (Sonia), sister Tammy, and several nephews.

Gary dedicated more than 30 years of his career to 3M, working in production, and later worked for Dean's Foods as a production employee and forklift operator. He was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail.

Outside of work, Gary found joy in car shows and spending time with his family. He had a lifelong love of Coca-Cola, collected model cars and Zippo lighters, and took great pride in detailing cars. His favorite was his 1972 Stingray Corvette, which he especially cherished.

Gary will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his steady presence, and the simple joys that brought him happiness throughout his life.

Service details will be announced at a later date.