Michael Joseph Burke IV

      Michael J. Burke IV, 79, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away after a lengthy illness on August 29, 2024. A third-generation member of a Sheep and Cattle Ranching Family in Wyoming since 1901, Michael served for over 50 years as an attorney who specialized in Tax Law, Estate Planning, Real Estate Transactions, the Administration of Decedent’s Estates, Guardianship and Conservatorship of Adults and Children with Disabilities, and Domestic and Family Law Cases.

        Michael was born on July 24, 1945, the second of ten children born to M. Joseph (Joe) Burke and Mary Josephine (Sirridge) Burke of Casper. He graduated from St. Anthony Grade School (Casper, WY), Campion Jesuit High School (Prairie du Chien, WI), and Creighton University (Omaha, NE) with a degree in Accounting and Finance. After passing his CPA exam and working for several years as an accountant, he pursued a law degree at the University of Wyoming School of Law, graduating in 1972. He augmented his long and successful private law practice with service as a Driver’s License Hearing Officer for the State of Wyoming (1972-74), City Attorney in Gillette, WY (1974-76), Justice of the Peace, Cambell County (1974-76), Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney for Natrona County (1978-81), County Attorney for Civil Affairs for Natrona County (1982-1986), Wyoming State Senator (R-Natrona 1990-92) and Wyoming’s Founding State Public Guardian (1993-95).

       In addition to his professional career as an accountant and lawyer, Michael completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Wyoming/Casper College in 1992 and training in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Wyoming Medical Center (2003-07). He also successfully completed a five-year formation program as a Deacon in the Catholic Church and was ordained in Cheyenne in 2012. As a deacon, in addition to his parish duties, he volunteered as a Hospital Chaplain at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper and served on the Center’s Medical Ethics Forum. He was Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Shepherd of the Valley Care Center.

         Michael never lost his love for sheep and sheep ranching, and he always remained close to his pastoral roots, serving as Natrona County Master Gardener (1986-2001), and as a Citizen Lobbyist for Federal Appropriations to Land Grant Universities as a representative of the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture. He also represented the College of Agriculture during his six-year term on the Council of Agricultural Research and Teaching for Western Land Grant Universities.

            Michael is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carolyn Groeger Burke, along with his sisters, Maureen Emrich, Castle Rock, CO; Eileen Burke-Sullivan, Omaha, NE; and Anne Burke (Christopher Bell) Denver, CO; his brothers, Rev. Kevin Burke, S.J., Denver, CO, Thomas Burke, M.D. (Mary Frances Burke, M.D.) Casper; and Brian Burke (Jean Burke) Denver, CO; his sister-in-law, Patricia Burke (Spirit Lake, Iowa); along with nearly 90 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces/nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Lawrence Burke (Casper), Daniel Burke (Casper), and James Burke (Spirit Lake, Iowa). A Funeral Vigil (Sept. 4th) and Mass of Resurrection (Sept. 5th) will be celebrated at St. Anthony Catholic Church (Casper).