Ronald E Burke 1923-2006

BURKE, BARTHOLOMEW, LEE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 23:57:08

Ronald Burke
Nov. 4, 1923-Jan. 8, 2006

Ronald E. Burke, age 82 of Castana, Iowa, died Sunday, January 8, 2006 at Pleasant View Care Center, Whiting, Iowa.

Ronald was born November 4, 1923 at Anthon, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Mabel (Bartholomew) Burke. He was raised in the Anthon, Turin and Castana areas and graduated from Onawa High School. He joined the United States Army April 2, 1943 and serving World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and was in the India Burma campaign. He was discharged January 17, 1946.

He married Juanita Lee June 16, 1946 and the couple made their home in the Castana area where they owned and operated Burke's Grocery and Meats. He was a member of Grimsley Thayer American Legion Post #502, Vesper Lodge #223 AF & AM in Onawa, Sioux City Consistory and Sioux City Abu Bekr Shrine. He served 11 years on the Castana Town Council and was a volunteer 33 years on the Castana Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife, Juanita of Castana; a son and his wife, Terry and Elisa Burke of Council Bluffs, Iowa; a daughter, Wendy Bumann and her special friend Bill Adams of Castana; five grandchildren, Tisha Burke, Robin (Frank) Ferguson, Chris Burke, Chelsee Bumann and Kylie Bumann and three sisters, Eunice Wahlke of Hemet, California, Charlotte Zortman of Onawa and Marilyn Kratz of Omaha, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Michael.

Funeral services were 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Bob Fritzmeier officiating. Music selections were duets, "How Great Thou Art", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" rendered by Nancy and Cathy Hanson. Patsy Petersen was organist. Burial was in Kennebec Cemetery, Castana with military honors conducted by Grimsley Thayer American Legion Post #502. Visitation was 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Rush Family Care Service, Onawa.

Casket bearers were Bob Barker, Louis Reed, Barney Grant, Brad Hanson, Dale Longlee and Kim Ketelsen. Honorary bearers were Bill Adams, Louis Davis, Dave Morgan, Bob Cass, Clyde Johnson, Gilbert Gotto, Harold Nutt, Harvey Hanson, Andy Bryden and Richard Davis.