Burke, Donald Joseph 1933 - 2018
BURKE, BILEK, VAN DE WEERD, FORTUNE, DIETRICH, MURUIR, MCALLISTER, MIHN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:23
Donald Joseph Burke passed away Tuesday, June 26th, 2018 at his home.
Don was born September 2, 1933 to William and Alice (Bilek) Burke. He born in the Elma, Iowa area and spent most of his life in Howard County, Iowa. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Elma in 1951.
After high school Don worked at Rath packing plant in Waterloo for a while and then in 1952 he enlisted in the Air Force. He attended various schooling and became a jet mechanic. He was stationed in a SAC base in Savannah, Georgia and at various times went TDY to Africa. On one of the trips to Africa he was able to go see his brother, Norb who was located at a remote radar location. Don left the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in 1956. After leaving the service he went home and helped with the crops and after they were out he and a friend went to the San Bruno, California area where he worked as a jet mechanic.
In the spring he came back to Howard County and started farming with his father. While back here he met his future wife, Frances Van De Weerd. They married August 30, 1958 and would have celebrated their 60th Anniversary this year. Don continued farming with his father until his father sold the farm. Don went to barber college in Waterloo and while there also studied for his real estate license. After receiving his barber license, he barbered in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Don and Fran purchased a farm northwest of Cresco in 1962 and Don had his own barbershop in Chester, Iowa. In April of 1964 Don began selling real estate and after a few years he started his own real estate company, Burke Real Estate which continues today. He also went to auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa and became an auctioneer.
Don loved to visit with people and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, local wrestling meets and occasionally going to a casino. Most of all he enjoyed teasing his grandchildren and great grandchildren and making them laugh and slipping them quarters from time to time. He enjoyed the family gatherings, especially Easter so he could help the little ones hunt for Easter eggs. He also enjoyed being outdoors, planting trees, nurturing them and watching them grow and working at improving his pond.
He was preceded by his parents, an infant brother, Kenneth, and infant son, Brent, a grandson, Corporal Jarek Burke, brothers, William, Allen, Jack, and Glendon and sisters Althea Fortune and Phyllis Dietrich.
He is survived by his wife, Fran, 5 children, Brenda Burke and husband Mwaura Muruir, Mark (Becky) Burke, Laurie Burke, Scott Burke and Brad (Jen) Burke, 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and brothers Norb (Theresa) Burke, Jim (Judy) Burke, twin sisters Murielly (Don) McAllister and Shirley Mihn and numerous nephews, nieces and great nephews and great nieces.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to HOCA, Mills Family Cancer Fund & Howard County Hospice. Cresco Wildlife Club, or charity of your choice.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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