Roger Oscar Burke's Obituary
Roger Oscar Burke, age 83, our beloved brother, uncle, cousin and friend passed away Wednesday February 25, 2026, in Orem, Utah of natural causes. He was born March 17, 1942 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Oscar and Lavetta Fugal Burke, the only son among five daughters. Roger was an honest man and one who delighted in helping and uplifting others in any way possible. He was very private, humble, shy, and without guile. He thought of himself more as a rancher and cowboy than a farmer, and loved spending time herding and taking care of his horses and cattle and riding his ATV. Many hours were spent with his parents, taking care of all their needs as they grew older. His sisters were most grateful for his unselfish acts of service and devotion in caring for their parents throughout so many https://years.Though he never married, he very much enjoyed the companionship of his many beloved nieces and nephews. He spent countless happy hours fishing, hiking, and camping with them, and working together as they assisted him on the farm moving irrigation pipe and plowing and planting the fields. He was a hard worker and ran both the home farm of his parents as well as his own farm.
Roger graduated from Shelley High School, attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and also BYU in Provo, Utah. Though he only spent one year at BYU, he often commented that this was one of the happiest years of his life. He always went out of his way to talk to people and had many dear friends throughout his lifetime. Each year for over 25 years he and two sisters, JoAnn and Linda, tried to take a vacation together. They enjoyed each other’s company and traversed cross-country several times, as well as to Canada and Hawaii. He most looked forward to family get-togethers, and always enjoyed a rousing game of Rook, Panjanamin, or any game or activity with those he loved. He always enjoyed temple trips with Allan and Irene Murdock.
Roger was a member for many years and was elected President of the Bingham County Farm Bureau and enjoyed his years of service in this position. He also enjoyed his membership in and participation with the Sons of the Utah Pioneers organization.
Roger was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One of the greatest joys of his life was his service as a full-time LDS missionary in the Western States Mission from March 1962 to March 1964. He was very successful in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to many souls. Roger’s missionary service included time in Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and southeastern Utah. He loved to talk about his mission every chance he had.
Roger served alongside his father as a temple worker in the Idaho Falls Temple for many years. He had a deep and burning testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and loved reading and studying the scriptures. He loved teaching the Gospel Doctrine class and the children in his Primary and Webelos classes. He also served as High Priest Group Leader and taught the Elder’s Quorum Sunday lessons.
He is survived by his sister Irene Murdock, 12 dearly loved nieces and nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joyce Robertson, Sherril Thompson, JoAnn Packer and Linda Dalley, niece Rynell Robertson and nephew Mark Jeffs. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Taylor Ward Building located at 1101 East 1250 North, Shelley, Idaho 83274. A viewing will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral. The internment will start at 12:30 p.m. at the Taylor Cemetery located at 720 E 129 S, Idaho Falls, ID 83404. The cemetery is only about 5 minutes from the Taylor Ward Building
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