Br. Charles Burke, FSC

Brother Jeremiah Charles Burke, FSC, age 90, died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Lake Winona Manor in Winona. Often called Brother Charlie, he had been a De La Salle Christian Brother for 72 years. 

Born Charles Peter Burke on March 12, 1935, to Peter E. Burke and Emma M. (Rozak) Burke in Lombard IL, he entered the Brothers community in 1953 when he received the religious habit, and he pronounced perpetual vows in 1960 in Plano, Illinois.

Brother Charlie taught high school in several Lasallian schools throughout the Midwest, was Director of Dunrovin Retreat Center, was Assistant Provincial, and was on the Student Life staff at Notre Dame University from 1975-1981 while pursuing a Fine Arts degree there.

He also spent several years at Saint Mary’s College/University and Saint Mary’s Press. He was in the Human Development Program and in Student Life at SMU, and was a writer, editor, teacher, and marketing coordinator at SMP. Brother Charlie served as an exceptional model of an individual relentlessly striving to create opportunities and relationships to develop the students at Saint Mary’s University. An award was created in his name and is presented annually to a faculty member who has promoted the growth of the whole student through their exemplary standard of ethical service, dedication to creating developmental relationships, and their desire to promote lifelong learning.

After suffering a stroke several years ago, he retired from ministry and in 1998 entered Callista Court. In 2007 he moved to Lake Winona Manor where he died. Brother Charlie continued his life as an educator by donating his remains to the Mayo Clinic for their research and possible additional learning about the human body.

A memorial service will be planned after the holidays, with the Mass at St. Thomas More Chapel on the St. Mary's University Campus in Winona.

Please remember Brother Charlie, his sister-in-law, the Winona Brothers community, and his many friends in your prayers.

Online condolences or memories may be left at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.