Obituary of Melinda BURKE

MELINDA SUE BURKESeptember 29, 1949 to December 14, 2008One day a mother died. And on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of her bedroom, her family was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't anymore. No more hugs. No more moments to celebrate together. No more phone calls just to chat. No more "just one minute". Sometimes, what we care about most goes away, never to return, before we can say "goodbye" or "I love you". So while we have it…it's best we love it…and care for it…and fix it when it's broken…and take good care of it when it's sick.Melinda Sue Burke, 59, of Lake Havasu City passed away December 14, 2008 at home, her loving family with her. She was born on September 29, 1949 in Huntington Park, CA to Kenneth and Jeanne (Ackerman) Wells. She grew up in Southern California but also lived in Hawaii, Oregon and Nevada before moving to Lake Havasu in 2004 to be closer to her son, Ethan and her dad, Ken Wells. Soon after, she was joined by another son, Eli and her daughters, Emily and Edie.While living in Baker City, OR, Melinda worked at many different jobs; the restaurant industry, which she always loved, herbs and health foods, which she totally believed in. She also was a representative for Pampered Chef and really enjoyed the parties her patrons gave where she demonstrated her products and cooked some amazing dishes.Her children grew up and attended school in Baker City and she was a volunteer at the many sports her children played and was always one of the most vocal in the cheering sections. The many friends she has there will remember her as being a dedicated and loving mother. She was an avid sports fan and watched football, baseball, basketball and tennis and could quote stats with the best of them.Here in Havasu, she was employed at the Black Bear restaurant and was a favorite with the patrons there because of her smiling face and her ability to remember their name, the names of their children, their favorite dishes and whether of not they took their coffee black or with cream and sugar.Melinda was raised in the Lutheran faith and was very devout in her love for her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.She is survived by her four children, Ethan, Emily, Eli and Edie Burke; two granddaughters, Finnlee (3) and Madilyn (2); her father, Kenneth (Barbara) Wells, all of Lake Havasu; sister, Jenise Soukup (Art) of Kingman, AZ; niece, Allyson Townsend (Jeff) and their daughters, Kendall and Kahlan of Gladstone, OR; nephew, Darren Soukup of Flagstaff, AZ; special friend, Hannah Rigueiro of Scottsdale, AZ; step sisters, Daina Reckelhoff, Donna Contopulos, Christine Mager and Sheryl Bustin and their families, all in Southern California. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends will miss her very much. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter and her mother, Jeanne A. Wells.In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Hospice of Havasu, PO Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home, 21 Riviera Blvd. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 or www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.