Velma (Funke) Burgess

BURGESS, FUNKE

Posted By: Angie Jameson (email)
Date: 6/15/2006 at 14:13:03

“Velma Funke Burgess – Velma Funke Burgess, one of 11 children born to Benjamin and Mary (Bretschneider) Funke was born on June 20, 1906 on a farm in Adair County. She passed away at the Still College Hospital in Des Moines on March 10, 1965 in Des Moines following a week’s hospitalization. She was baptized in infancy in the Fontanelle Lutheran church, and received her secular education in this schools in Adair county. At a young age she was stricken with polio which left her quite badly handicapped. For the past 30 years she had made her home in Des Moines. She was united in marriage to Thomas Burgess, who preceded her in death in November of 1963. Due to her handicap she became employed by Good Will Industries in Des Moines a number of years ago and quickly advanced to the position of supervisor, a position which she was holding when she entered the hospital. Her happy smiling disposition gained for her a host of friends wherever she went. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a sister Mrs. Katherine Jameson. She leaves to mourn her passing five sisters, Lizzie Hein of Stuart; Sophia Minor of Sedalia, Colo.’ Gladys Bower of Cedar Rapids; Florence Paxton of Menlo; and Mildred Dunkerson of Greenfield, and four brothers, Howard Funke of Bridgewater, and Andrew, Ernest and Glen Funke all of Greenfield. She also leaves a large number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends and relative in the Des Moines area. Funeral services were held March 12, 1965 at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Des Moines with Rev. Beck officiating. Pallbearers were Larry Bower, Dan Dunkerson, Dean Funke, Howard Funke Jr.; Larry Funke, Keith Jameson, Audrey Paxton and Jerry Paxton. Burial as in Laurel Hill cemetery in Des Moines.” March 24, 1965 Adair County Free Press.