Burke Corporation Founder Passes Away

NEVADA, IowaBurke Corporation announced that founder William Burke Sr. passed away on July 2, 2010, at the age of 81.

Born in St. Louis, Burke grew up in Wauwatosa, Wis., and served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he and his wife, Alice, made their home in Milwaukee, where their six children were born. During that time, Burke worked for Patrick Cudahy and ran for U.S. Congress twice.

The family moved to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1960, and in 1964, Burke accepted a position at Supreme Foods in Ames, Iowa. The Burkes eventually bought the company and it became Pronto Food Kitchens, and later, Burke Corporation. In 1974, the company shifted focus from the manufacturer of frozen pizzas to producing and marketing custom pre-cooked pizza toppings. In 1984, Burke Corporation moved to Nevada, Iowa, where numerous expansions have grown the company to more than 350 employees.

In 1991, Burke transferred day to day responsibilities to senior team members, allowing him more time to focus on his family and several civic causes.

Throughout more than 30 years in the topping business and 50 years in the pizza industry, the company founded by Burke has served more than 1,600 customers.