Photo courtesy of Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home - Carthage
Feb 15, 1947 - Sep 17, 2025
I liked Karen very much. She was so kind and caring. My deepest condolences to her entire family. She will definitely be missed. She was a shining light to all that knew her.
Joanne Sanders
September 19, 2025 | Carthage, NY | Friend
Eric so very sorry for your family's loss. Your family were good neighbors when George and I lived down the road.
Jan Duffy (Laribee)
September 19, 2025 | Watertown, NY | Friend
May you rest in peace Karen. Im so sure ull be sadly missed.
Love your cousin Tammy and Jerrilee Hartle ❤
Tammy Hartle
September 19, 2025 | Croghan | Family
I am so very sorry for your loss - Eric and family, Penny, I know as a sister you two were very close. I enjoyed working with Karen at Crooks Memorial and we had alot of fun and alot of laughs which made the day go by faster but she is now with Lynn and Brian and the rest of her family. My Prayers are with all of you.
SUSAN SWARTOUT
September 19, 2025 | Carthage, NY | Friend
My deepest sympathies to all of Karen’s family and loved ones. I know your hurt runs deep. I am keeping you in my thoughts.
Barbara Prievo
September 19, 2025 | Carthage, NY | Friend
Prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family. Karen will be missed
Shannon Storms
September 19, 2025 | Friend
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family..So many memories of times together with Uncle Doug and Aunt Evelyn.
JEAN BELL
September 18, 2025 | Sarasota, FL | Family
So sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. We’ve been neighbors for 39 years. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for the family. Gail
September 18, 2025
CARTHAGE- Karen S. Burke, 78, who passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. She resided on Jackson II. Rd, Carthage.
Karen was born on February 15, 1947, in Carthage, the daughter of the late Doug & Evelyn (Johnson) Ward. She married Lynn R. Burke on August 22, 1964, in Carthage. Lynn, who was an owner-operator for Stroehmann Bakeries for many years, he retired from Reinman Wholesale and passed away on September 18, 2021.
She attended Carthage High School and retired from Reinman Wholesale as a secretary and in her earlier years she was employed by EC Crooks Monument Company which is now known as T.F. Wrights in Carthage.
Karen loved her German Shepherds and everyone else’s dogs, Sitting at Penny's and Allan's Gazebo in her favorite chair, loved playing wordle, she was often referred to as the queen, often getting her own way. Karen deeply loved her family!
Karen is survived by her son, Eric L. (Margaret) Burke of Greig; three granddaughters, Kelsea Hanzel-Burke (fiancé James Grimm) of Carthage, Ashley (Brandon) Stevens of Watertown, and Kierstin (Travis) Nuffer of Liverpool; she is also survived by her three great-granddaughters, Avery, Aubrey, and Adeline. She was predeceased by her husband, Lynn, and her son, Brian A. Burke
Also surviving are her siblings Susan Gurdak and Husband Walt, Debbie Prievo and husband Mike, Penny Rivers and husband Allan, Kevin Ward, as well as several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her siblings Scott Ward, Dale Ward, David Ward, Doug Ward.
Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours, and her services will be held privately by her family.
Arrangements are in the care of the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, located at 518 State Street, Carthage NY 13619. To leave a condolence, please visit www.bezanillafh.com
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