Mary Jane Burke

Mary Jane Burke (Fischer) – August 18, 1930 to November 3, 2025

Mary Jane Burke (Fischer) lived 95 years filled with love and respect for her family, friends and a devotion to Jesus Christ. Born in Greenfield to Richard and Isabelle (Kaufman) Fischer, Mary was raised in Mayville, WI along with 11 cherished siblings. After high school Mary moved with her sister Millie to work at the Wisconsin Phone Company in Milwaukee. During this time, she met and married Tom, the love of her life. Together they raised 8 children in Wauwatosa. Mary was a stay-at-home mother with several part-time positions through the years. When her youngest child started school, Mary went back to full-time work as Office Manager at the Milwaukee County Planning Council until retirement. Mary was also a caregiver for Tom during his long battle with cancer. God called Tom home 31 years ago. It makes us happy knowing they are together again.

Mary was a lifelong volunteer. She was a Den Mother for several of her children, volunteered at Elmbrook Hospital, was a Eucharistic Minister at Froedtert Hospital and she volunteered at various theaters and at her church. She was also an avid sports fan. She loved watching the Brewers, the Packers and golf. Tom and Mary had season Packers tickets, going back to when they played at County Stadium. Tom and Mary also enjoyed many years up north at their cottage on Wind Pudding Lake where she could enjoy a daily swim.

Mary enjoyed traveling throughout the years, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She would love to sit with her old-fashioned and watch her kids and grandkids talk and laugh together. We have all been blessed by her unending love, her smile and kindness and will all miss her so much. We learned through her priorities of family and faith.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Isabelle Fischer, her loving husband Thomas Burke, her grandson Ryan Burke, and siblings Richard, Robert, Dorothy, Frank and Ruth.

Mary is survived by her beloved siblings Mildred Hayes, Sr. Agnes Fischer, Paul Fischer (Lee), Marge Lamphere, Joseph Fischer (Sandra), and Bette Rempp (Ron). Mary's children are Kevin Burke, Bernice Tamms (Neal), Colleen Wakefield (Craig), Mary Diotte (Peter), Thomas Burke (Carol), Ann Preiss (Steven), John Burke (Helene), and Terrance Burke. Mary's surviving grandchildren are Sheila Burke, Ben Tamms (Dana), Mark Tamms (Erin), Dustin Wakefield (Alyssa), Bridget Wakefield (Ray), Luke Wakefield (Lorin), Alyssa Burke, Michael Burke (Erin), Peter Burke, John Burke, Thomas Burke (Anna), Mary-Clare Burke (Zach), Patrick Burke (Madelyn), Charles Burke, Theresa Preiss (Stephen), Elizabeth Preiss, Joshua Preiss, Emma Burke and Lily Burke, as well as 11 beautiful great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 225 S. Hartwell Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.

Memorials can be sent to:

Sisters of St Francis of the Holy Cross

3110 Nicolet Drive

Green Bay, WI 54311

Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family

Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659

Online Obit, Condolences, Directions

www.churchandchapel.com