Surface Creek area resident John Ivan Burk Jr., who was known as Ivan to all of his friends, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction. He was 74.John Ivan Burk Jr. was born on April 14, 1930, to John Ivan Sr. and Helen (Hunt) Burk in Grand Junction, Iowa. He spent his childhood in Grand Junction, Iowa, and graduated from Rippey High School with the class of 1948.On June 7, 1950, Ivan married Ruth Marie Vogel in Wagner, S.D. Ruth and Ivan moved to Colorado in 1958. They had celebrated more than 54 years of marriage together. She survives. Ivan was a builder and contractor in the construction business in the Frisco and Denver areas for 23 years before moving to Cedaredge. He was a member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Cedaredge and belonged to Our Lady of the Rockies Knights of Columbus. He was a member since 1953 of the Knights of Columbus, served in several state chairs, and chartered Grand Knights of Grand Mesa Council of Delta when they reorganized. He was instrumental in starting the first Share and Care Program through the Knights of Columbus.Ivan was involved in several organizations, including the Western Horticultural Society, served as a board member of the Soil Conservation Division, and was also a board member of the Water Conservatory in Cedaredge. He was a member of the Apple Administration of Western Colorado and remained busy with apple orchards for 27 years.John enjoyed woodworking and made several beautiful pieces of furniture for his wife. He liked to go camping and fishing. The greatest love of his life was his family – children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Those grateful to have shared in Ivan’s life include his wife, Ruth Burk, of Cedaredge; five sons, Phillip Burk and his wife, Betty, of Denver, Michael Burk and his wife, Michelle, of Castle Rock, Gerald Burk and his wife, Beverly, of Glenwood Springs, Darrel Burk and his wife, Violeta, of Denver, and Dennis Burk and his wife, Janna, of Silt; three daughters, Susan Burk of Grand Junction, Colo., Annette Anderson and her husband, Michael, of Cedaredge, and Amy Turley and her husband, Paul, of Silt. He is further survived by 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.Ivan was preceded in death by son Joseph, and daughter Peggy.Memorial contributions may be made in Ivan’s memory to Our Lady Knights of Columbus, or St. Philip’s Catholic Church, c/o Sam Vasicko, 22982 U Road, Cedaredge, CO 81413.Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.View the Internet memorial and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.A rosary was recited on Feb. 4 at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta, a mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Cedaredge, and burial followed at Cedaredge Cemetery.A rosary was recited on Feb. 4 at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta, a mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Cedaredge, and burial followed at Cedaredge Cemetery.