Fran Burke ‘blessed’ to be Grand Marshall
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 1:40pm
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By:
Dan Evans TPD Publisher
CRESCO - When it comes to someone who represents the community of Cresco, Fran Burke is definitely “that gal!”
In her 80s, Burke still has that energy, that determination and vigor to still be working, still be volunteering and still be the grandma and great grandma loved by her family.
This past Friday afternoon, Burke was honored as the Cresco Santa Parade Grand Marshall. She was caught waving and smiling to everyone along the roadway, with many smiling and waving back!
Burke has a long history in the area, being born in Cresco and having lived in the community and/or Howard County much of her life. She graduated from Cresco High School and married Don Burke in August of 1958, wanting to start a family.
The couple had six children in Brenda, Mark, Laurie, Scott and Brad, with Brent passing away only a few days old. That crew has now blessed Fran with 13 grandchildren (unfortunately, with God’s grace, two have passed) and 21 great-grandchildren. All, except three, live within seven miles, allowing her to see the many activities they participate in.
With the large family, Fran was plenty busy raising the kids, but still found time to help around the farm which the couple had purchased just southeast of Cresco a few miles. In the meantime, Don had went to Barber School, continuing to farm, but also running a Barber Shop in Chester.
Eventually, Don Burke earned his realtor license and worked at Aspenson Realty, where he focused on selling farm properties and farmland.
He split with Aspenson, eventually, and went on his own several years later, where they set up an office in the basement of Anderson Law Firm (next to Pub 7). They shared the basement with the Cresco Chamber at the time and were at that location for only a few years (both Don and Fran working the business) before purchasing a building (currently where Dough & Joe’s sits).
The couple ran the family business for several years and then Don elected to work for Gary Aspenson.
“Back then it was just a few pages to do a property transaction, but then it went to 10 pages and eventually 25,” pointed out Fran on how realty was getting more complicated at that time. “Don eventually left Gary Aspenson and went to work under Mark.”
It was in 1994 that Mark Burke reestablished the Burke Real Estate business as the designated broker. He and his wife, Becky, went on to build the business and Fran has also remained with the business over the years.
Eventually Steven and Brad both went to Auctioneer School and held auctions (starting an on-line auction service), plus continued to sell personal property and farmland. They started off in the building behind Billmyer Furniture (the old laundry mat) and then purchased the building next to the Courthouse, expanding.
Steven eventually went to work for Regional Health Services with Brad buying hime out. Steven still does farmland sales part-time, auctions and is a broker associate at Burke Real Estate.
Fran, who secured a realtor license when they started their first business, still works in the Burke Real Estate office, located downtown Cresco.