Steven A. "Steve" Burke, age 68 of Champlin, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Steve was best known for his wit, contagious sense of humor, his ready smile and laugh, and his love of pranks.  He was playful and entertaining and was asked to work with the youth group at church shortly after getting married.  He and Mary accompanied teen groups on camping trips to Glacier Park and Grand Tetons, among others, and his teen leadership continued for 17 years.

Steve was incredibly creative and smart.  He was a mechanical engineer and knew how things worked.  When personal computers were developed he embraced them with gusto, staying up all night playing with his first computer.

He had many, many interests starting young...judo, flight school, shortwave, photography, auto mechanics, and electronics.  He took up scuba diving before visiting the Great Barrier Reef and continued for years.  He loved tools and dreamed of having a shop to do woodworking.  In recent years he took up 3D printing.Steve loved to travel the world...Europe, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, plus a number of cruises with friends.

Steve was a man of faith and his years of poor health only deepened his trust in God and he looked forward to eternal life in God's family.  He had a huge heart and was kind and generous.  Steve was something else, one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur, Jr. and Lena Burke.  He is survived by his wife, Mary; sisters, Valorie Burke and Barb (Jerry) Van Tassel; also many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, 13817 Jay Street NW, Andover.  Visitation one hour prior to the service (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.)  Interment will take place in Oakview Cemetery, St. Francis.

Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home of Andover (763) 767-7373