Obituary of Melanie Jean (Clasen) Burke

Melanie Jean (Clasen) Burke, age 60, died at her home in Duluth, MN on Wed., May 8, 2019. Melanie was born on October 29, 1958 in Austin, MN to James and Jean (Evans) Clasen. She graduated from Austin High School in 1977, following high school she attended UMD. Melanie married Thomas Burke, together they lived in Superior, WI. They later divorced but remained close friends. Melanie was employed by Regency Home HealthCare Agency and spent much of her life helping others receive quality, loving in-home care. She enjoyed her duties as office coordinator and took pride in scheduling skilled care givers to serve the agency's clients. Melanie, a long time resident of Duluth, enjoyed living near Lake Superior and the weather of Northern Minnesota where she raised her son and granddaughters. She enjoyed listening to music; her favorite playlists included Motown oldies and R&B. You could often hear Melanie singing Karaoke for her friends and family. Melanie's love for cooking inspired her granddaughters to join her in the kitchen, as they affectionately nicknamed her the "Paula Deen of the north." Many summers, Melanie enjoyed time at the family cabin in Cross Lake, MN. Following in her father's footsteps, her green thumb enhanced the cabin's landscape with beautiful flower plantings. Additional hobbies included playing board games, completing crossword puzzles, and reading the next bestselling novel. She was a lover of all things Harry Potter and enjoyed binge watching movie re-runs with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Tom, and longtime friend, Steve Goines. Melanie is survived by her son, Jeffrey Clasen, of Midland, TX; granddaughters, Daisha, Tawney, Rachel and Maura; sister, Julie (Geri Estvanik) Clasen of Berwyn, IL; brother, Dave (Leanne) Clasen of Austin, MN; niece, nephews, uncle, aunt and many cousins. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17th at Peace United Church of Christ with Rev. Kathy Nelson officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service.