Funeral Services for Jo Burch 91, of Ekalaka is 11:00 a. m. Saturday, November 12, 2005 at Carter County High School Gymnasium in Ekalaka, with Pastor Bruce Kolash officiating. Burial will follow in Beaver Lodge Cemetery in Ekalaka. Josephine ?Grandma Jo? Burch, 91, of Ekalaka passed away Monday, November 7, 2005 at Dahl Memorial Healthcare in Ekalaka. Jo was born October 24, 1914 in Belle Fourche, SD to William and Annie (Hoffman) Johnston. She grew up and attended country schools in the Ridgeway area. After graduating from Belle Fourche High School Jo married her high school sweetheart, Ellis F. Burch on July 22, 1934 at Ridgeway, MT. The couple moved to the Ekalaka area living in a sheep wagon for the first year of their marriage. They purchased a ranch on Box Elder Creek where they built a home. In 1963 they bought the Cleveland ranch where they lived every since. Jo continued to make her home on the ranch after Ellis passed away. Grandma Jo truly loved her family and keeping up with all of her grandchildren in their sports and various events. While on the ranch she enjoyed her yard, flowers, gardening and birds, but was never one to miss a trip to town to play cards. Jo belonged to the Rebekah Lodge, Rhodora Garden Club, and St. Elizabeth Lutheran Church Grandma Jo is survived by her four sons: Harold R. Burch, Houston, TX; Richard A. Burch, Houston, TX; Mark J. Burch (Brenda Fazekas), Ekalaka, MT; Don E. (Eva) Burch, Sturgis, SD; two daughters: Myrna (Garth) Tooke, Ekalaka, MT; Linda (Kelly) Ziettlow, Ekalaka, MT; One brother: Warren Johnston, Spearfish, SD; One Sister: Reva Fruit, Broadus, MT; 12 Grandchildren: Kim Conlin, Owen (Deana) Burch, Stephanie Burch, Lance (Tracy) Ziettlow, Todd (Caryn) Ziettlow, J. O. (Kim) Tooke, Ryan (Johanna) Tooke, Angela Burch, Zane (Jessica) Burch, Kyle Burch, Jeremy (Lettia) Burch and Drake Burch and 14 Great-Grandchildren: Holly & Monica Conlin, Kylan Burch, Sydney & Paige Ziettlow, Zander Ziettlow, Kennedy, Kenzie Tooke, Gracie, Royce & Katie Tooke and Tessa, Lexie & Xander Burch. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ellis; two sons: Floyd & Folas ?Tubby? Burch; and a daughter Erma Jo Burch; two brothers: Clarence & Walter Johnston; and a sister Margaret Blackford.
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Burial Date: November 12, 2005
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT
Funeral Service: Saturday, Carter County Gymnasium, Ekalaka