Features, Meeker

A mother to be thankful for

Colorado native Fern Burke and her husband Dean raised their five children at the Piceance Creek ranch homesteaded by the Burke family.
MEEKER I Last week gave us the opportunity to give thanks for our many blessings. Topping the list for many was the blessing of family, particularly the love of our mothers who have stood strong through whatever life has handed them and made the best of every situation. Mothers are often the “glue” that holds everything together, and Fern Burke is a prime example of one of those wonderful mothers.
Fern Woodard was born in Rifle to Steven William and Opal Jeanette (McLain). Her father was the grandson of a Civil War veteran who went home at the conclusion of the war only to be rejected by his parents and told he was no longer their son. This was the case of many who fought on opposite sides of the war. Fern’s great-grandfather fought for the Union and did not believe in slavery. His birth name was Woodward so he changed his name to Woodard and began a life for himself.
He was living in Iowa when his wife, one daughter and one son contracted tuberculosis. He moved his family to Colorado as it was supposed to be the best place to combat the decease at that time. The family relocated to Lamar, but all three of the family members that were ill died of the disease.
Fern’s grandfather Gene had two brothers, Jim and Steve, who lived in Lamar and then moved to Rifle to make a living raising cattle, hay and horses. They bought land near Meeker (now owned by J. Gentry) on the Mesa, then called Prefountain Mesa, near where the high school is now down to the old highway. Fern said they owned the land to the gully then Bill Claugh owned from the gully up the other side. Gene and his wife had Lita (Westfall), Maude (Thomas), Maybell (Moss), and Steven.
Steven worked on the ranch and also raised sheep. He began his life with Opal and the two had seven kids: Betty, Leola, Maudie, Geraldine, Fern, Carol, and Jimmy.
“They finally got their boy after six girls,” Fern said.
When Jimmy was born he was very premature and was having spasms. The doctor told Fern’s mother that if the baby had another spasm they would have to put him in the hospital in an incubator. Opal replied, “Is it big enough for me? Because you aren’t taking my baby.” It turned out they didn’t have to take Jimmy and he is alive and well in Grand Junction today.
The kids all attended school in Rifle. Fern said she walked to school about a mile every day until the eighth grade. She was graduated from Rifle High School in 1954.
Fern married Dean Burke in 1966. They raised five children on the Piceance Creek ranch homesteaded by the Burke family: Tracy, Clinton, K.C, Jimmy and Carol. K.C. and his wife Heather and their two children Peyton and Pake, as well as Jimmy and his wife Stacey with their children Kale and Makenna, still live on the ranch. Clinton lives on the Johnson Ranch further up Piceance Creek. He has two girls, Shelby and Kinzie.
Fern talked about living so far from town, saying, “When Dean and I first got married, I didn’t know how to drive.” That made things a little difficult and she would have her sister Carole come over from the nearby Square S ranch to drive her to town. Soon after she had Dean teach her to drive and she recalls her first trips to town being “a little scary,” as the near 25 mile trip is a winding road. For the most part, they only went to town for necessities and that was OK with Fern who said, “I never was a town person, I liked it out there.”
She enjoyed the simplicity of their life and believes it was a great place to raise her children. “It might have kept them out of some trouble, I don’t know.”
She has a quilt hanging with family pictures and she speaks about her children and grandchildren with great pride and a humor no doubt connected to all the stories that come with raising five children and six grandchildren on a ranch far from town. The story of her granddaughter jumping in the ditch with all the boys brought a smile to her face.
When asked what has changed the most through the years Fern said, “I couldn’t say for sure, there have been changes but I kind of went with the flow.” She talked about how fast the time has passed and in the modest fashion synonymous with her generation, she didn’t think she had a great story to tell. Their story is in the life they lived, not wanting for much, but never compromising core values like strength of family, loyalty and perseverance.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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