Martin spent years in recovery, being served and serving others. Martin took his pain and turned it into joy.

He was the first child born to John and Rosemary Burke. They lived on a farm near Coleridge.

Martin attended Cedar Catholic High School in nearby Hartington, graduating in 1976. He played cornet and trumpet in the school band, played football and ran cross country. He starred, with his brother, John, in the one-act play “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers,” and played Linus in the musical “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” He was also active in Search Teen weekend retreats, which emphasized prayer and community.

Martin attended Mount Marty College, Yankton, S.D. He studied music and education, graduating in 1980. He starred as Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves, in “The Hobbit,” with his brother, Gerry, at the Lewis and Clark Playhouse, Yankton. Martin participated in many instrumental performances while in college, including backing the musical “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.” He switched to trombone and learned to play guitar.

Over the years, he acquired many musical instruments, and reveled in learning more about music. He worked on a master’s degree in music at St. Thomas University, with a focus on the Orff method, which brings a playbased approach to learning music in an active way. Martin taught music at Holy Trinity Elementary School, Hartington, and later taught school in Westboro, Mo. He played in the pit band one summer at the Mule Barn Theatre, Tarkio, Mo.

After moving to Salina, Martin taught music at St. Mary’s Grade School, and he provided music at church. Martin later worked in carpentry and shipping and receiving jobs, working for many years at Grain Belt Supply Company, Salina. He retired in June, 2025.

Martin is survived by four children, Paula Burke, Minneapolis, Minn.; Leo Burke, Seattle, Wash.; Thomas Burke, Gottingen, Germany; and Margaret Burke, Anchorage, Alaska. He is also survived by siblings, John Burke, Crofton; Gerry Burke (Mary), Omaha; Mary Guthrie (Clair), Lincoln; Angie Burke Benal, Lincoln; James Burke (Trisha), Omaha; and Joseph Burke, Lincoln; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eileen, and sibling, Francis.