John A. Burke

May 29, 1040 to January 29, 2010

John Burke's biggest contribution to the world of woodcarving is the impact he has had on other carvers. For more than 20 years, John has been teaching carving. In fact, John pioneered many of the methods used to teach woodcarving and his techniques have influenced many of today's top carvers. He has authored three books and was honored with the 2009 woodcarver of the year award by Woodcarving illustrated. He will be remembered by many as a teacher and a friend.

In Rememberance of our Carving friends

Mid-America Woodcarvers Association

Omaha, Nebraska

Eleanor Fritz Marsh

April 24, 1921 - March 5, 2010

Eleanor was born in Bemidji, Minnesota to John and Emma Vogel Hintz. She married Thomas Fritz in 1945 in Omaha, Nebraska. Thomas died in 1995 and she married Noah March in 1996. Noah died in 2000. Eleanor was quoted to say that after surviving two men in her live that that was enough. She decided to remain unmarried after that.

Eleanor grew up in Nebraska and graduated from high school at Tekamah, Nebraska. She also attended college at the University of Nebraska.

Eleanor worked for various employers including Joseph Magnin in San Francisco, a dental supply company, several years in the public schools, and for many years taught sewing machine techniques for Bernina Sew-ing Machine Company.

She started carving in the 1970s using X-Actor knives and carving mostly walnut wood. After about two years of carving she and 7 other carvers founded the Mid-America Woodcarvers Organization which now has about 800 members.

They now hold classes at the Doane College in Crete, Nebraska for one week every summer and attract carvers from many different parts of the country.

Eleanor lived in Paradise California for eight years after living in Kansas for many years. Four years after Noah died she moved to Springfield, Oregon in October of 2004 and joined the McKenzie Woodcarv-ers.