MaryAnn Burke went home to be with our Lord May 13, 2026. She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, December 16, 1935, to John Peter & Ruth Mehl Ost. As a child, she and her sister Barbara never got to stay anywhere too long. Her dad was a mining engineer from the Colorado School of Mines, so they lived in places like Telluride, Colorado & other high-altitude mining towns that are now famous ski resorts. They also lived in Butte, Montana & Rovana, Ca. Mom loved to fish as a kid because her folks loved to fish since they lived in some of the best places in the states for it. Mom wasn't crazy about the cold country in the winter, so after finishing her 4 years of college at the University of Montana, she headed south after just a couple of years to Bishop, where her folks were. Her dad got sick & needed the lower elevation & drier air, so the Dr. recommended Ridgecrest & this Dr. Drummond character. The desert definitely grew on her & she was definitely over the cold country. She loved how close the beach was with lots of sunshine. She started nursing at the hospital with Bea Curran and in 1963 went to work at the Drummond medical group with characters like Dr. Gilmer, Dr. Welcome and Dr. Pinto who all became close family friends. 

In 1970 she married Pat Burke, a local widower with 2 sons and was the local Challenge dairy milkman. Together, Pat and MaryAnn raised their four sons. Mom loved the beach and would take everyone to the beach 2 to 3 weeks at a time. She retired in 1986, and spent as much time as possible with her grandkids & great-grandchildren. They got to do pretty much whatever they wanted. MaryAnn spoiled them like there was no tomorrow and let them get away with things that she would never let us do. They drove her car to San Diego when they were14, but of course it was ok because she was with them. lol. Later she developed a love for Kernville & the Kern River. She had given up on the beach because everyone's lives had become so busy. She just liked the peace & quiet of being at her trailer on the river. MaryAnn had quite a life. 

She was preceded in passing by her husband Pat, sons Pat Jr , David, and granddaughter Jennifer. She is survived by her sons, Gary and Mike, daughter-in-law of 49 years Kim, grandchildren Amber and Christopher Cook, Jarrett and Jodi Burke, Daniel Burke, and 8 great-grandchildren: Rick, Alexandra, Eilah, Olivia, Malia, Rhaya, Lilly & Jackson. 

The celebration of life will be held at Calvary Chapel Ridgecrest, 210 East Springer @ 1pm Friday, June 26th; reception to follow there.