Lenora Elizabeth Burkhart 1917 - 2013

BURKHART, CALLAHAN, CLAUS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2013 at 10:08:15

Sioux City Journal
22 June 2013

SMITHLAND, Iowa | Lenora E. Burkhart, 95, of Smithland died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, June 20, 2013, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Evangelical Reformed Church in German City, Iowa, with the Rev. Paul Mahaffie officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service Monday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com.

Lenora Elizabeth Burkhart was born on Nov. 26, 1917, near Smithland, the daughter of Edwin and Jennie (Callahan) Claus. She was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Church in German City, where she was a member for her entire life, and also served as secretary for the church board.

She married Vernon Burkhart on Oct. 28, 1939, at St. John’ Evangelical Church in German City, where Edaline and Stanley Bos were witnesses. Lenora and Vernon lived on a farm near Smithland. They raised their family and worked on the farm until Lenora went to beauty school in Sioux City. She operated Lenora’s Beauty Shop in Oto, Iowa, and she then opened a shop in her home until she retired around the age of 70-years old. Lenora moved to town in 2002. In November 2010, she became a resident of Maple Heights Nursing Home.

Lenora liked flower and vegetable gardening, quilting, ceramics, and singing in church. One of her greatest joys was making quilts for every immediate family member.

She is survived by her children, Shirley Johnson, Richard Burkhart, and Eddie (Ofelia) Burkhart; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Macil Claus, Joann Jones, Jackie (Virgil) Pullen, and Leora Claus; and cousins, Lavonne Meeves and Arlene McNear.

Lenora was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; son, Franklin; daughter, Sharon (Shirley’s twin sister); son-in-law, Duane; granddaughter, Tiara Oberreuter; brothers and sisters, Clem Claus, Mildred Hagan, Edaline McNutt, and Richard Claus.

Memorials, in Lenora’s memory, may be directed to Evangelical Reformed Church in German City.