Obituary of Bernadette Ida Harke

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernadette Ida Burkemper Harke of Old Monroe, MO will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Old Monroe. Fr. Michale Lampe, church pastor, will officiate with burial in the Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be John Rodgers, Jared Poeling, Jason Poeling, Noah Silver, Dan Burkemper and Joe Bauer. Bernadette, 96, passed away late Thursday morning, October 16, 2025 at the Elsberry Health Care Center near Elsberry, MO. Born January 7, 1929 in Old Monroe, she was the daughter of Lawrence C. and Barbara Lucille Henningfeld Burkemper. Bernadette was united in marriage on May 9, 1950 in Old Monroe to Robert Stephen Harke. This union was blessed with two children: James Robert and Karen Ann. Bernadette was a loving farm wife. She could often be found taking care of her garden or yard; and baking something to have on hand for company. Bernadette was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Barbara Burkemper; her brothers: William Burkemper, Alfred Burkemper and his wife, Frances, Charles Burkemper and his wife, Mame, David Burkemper and his wife Virginia, Lawrence Burkemper, Jr., and Wilbert Burkemper; and her beloved husband, of 63 years, Robert Harke, who died on May 30, 2013. Survivors include their children: James Harke and his wife, Denise, of Winfield and Karen Poeling of Old Monroe; six grandchildren: Michael Harke, Nicole Pieper and her husband, Derek, Lauren Rodgers and her husband, John, Jared Poeling, Jason Poeling and Alexa Silver and her husband, Noah; five great-grandsons: Kannon, Abel, Jack, Samuel and George. Bernadette also leaves one sister-in-law, Betty Burkemper of St. Peters, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the burial at the Knights of Columbus Hall (across from church). Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (or) Old Monroe American Legion Post #420 in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.