Burger, Betty M. (Mark) d. 2007

BURGER, MARK, HEDRICK

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2008 at 21:20:37

Betty M. Burger, 86, of Springfield, Va., died of cancer on April 14, 2007, at the Capital Hospice after serving the people of Iowa in the nation's capitol for 40 years. From 1974 until her death-a remarkable 32 years, she was the Chief Caseworker for U.S. Senator Charles Grassley from Iowa. Burger's Capitol Hill career began with U.S. Congressman Fred Schwengel (1967-1972) from Iowa, followed by two years with U.S. Congressman Bob Hanrahan from Illinois.

Burger believed in a representative government that served its people. To that end, she tenaciously and efficiently pursued the task of helping Iowans solve their problems with the federal government. Throughout her career she handled more than 30,000 requests for help, ranging from lost passports to GI issues and benefits, Farmers Home Administration matters, and elderly concerns. Early in her career she stated, "I've always said I have the best job in the office because I get paid to help people. You can't get tired of doing that."

Burger, born in Attica, grew up in Knoxville, and lived there until 1955 when she and her husband John and their children moved to Fairfield. She was a legal secretary in Knoxville and worked at Iowa State Bank and Trust in Fairfield for a number of years before moving to Virginia in 1967.

Throughout her life, Betty was committed to the democratic process. Among other leadership roles, she served as vice chair of the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee in 1962 and was alternate delegate to the 15th Biennial Convention of the National Federation of Republican Women in Washington, D.C. in 1969. She was a member of the Republican Women of Capitol Hill and of Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield, Virginia.

While Betty Burger savored her career of making a difference for others, she cherished her family and friends and relished spending time with each of them. Beloved wife of the late John H. Burger, she is survived by her son William H. Burger and wife Celia of Iowa City; three daughters and their husbands Barbara and Phil Hirschler of Fairfield, Carol and Erik Winborn of Fairfax Station, Va., Terri and Kenny Burney of Burke, Va.; her sister Barbara Ridnouer of Knoxville, Robert Mark of Roseville, Calif., and Dorothy Bernard of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, April 19, at Messiah United Methodist Church, Springfield, Va. Inurnment will take place this summer in Knoxville.

Burger was preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Hazel Hedrick Mark and by two siblings Dewey Mark, Jr. and Marilyn Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Capital Hospice, 4715 N. 15th St., Arlington, Va., 22205 or Messiah United Methodist Church. Inquiries may be directed to Advent Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Falls Church, Va.

Editor's note: Sen. Grassley wrote a nice piece about Burger. It is available online at www.journalexpress.net.

The Knoxville Journal Express, April 19, 2007