Gerald BURK

BURK, BRANNAN, GRIGGS, WOIWOOD, OLDHAM, MARTIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/4/2010 at 11:40:30

Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa
August 29, 2007

GOODELL, IA — Gerald Burk, 92, most recently of Garner, formerly a lifelong resident of Goodell, died Sunday (Aug. 26, 2007) at the Concord Care Center in Garner. Funeral services for Gerald Burk will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Goodell United Methodist Church with the Pastor Paddy Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Amsterdam Cemetery in Goodell. Visitation for Gerald Burk will be held after 5:30 p.m. today at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane S. in Belmond and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Gerald Burk, the son of Wilmer and Elizabeth (Brannan) Burk, was born March 25, 1915, in Goodell. He was educated in the Goodell School, graduating in 1933. Gerald married his lifetime sweetheart, Nellie Griggs on Sept. 11, 1936, at the Goodell United Brethren Church parsonage. He began farming in 1937 at a farm located southwest of Goodell, later moving to Nellie’s childhood home and farming the land in Avery Township from 1942 until 1996. Gerald loved the land and never lost his interest in the crops, the weather, and the grain movement and prices. He was a meticulous farmer and loved seeing the seasons of growth in the fields. In 1955 he was honored as an Iowa State Swine Master Producer in Des Moines. He was very proud of his years of raising hogs, and his grandchildren fondly remember getting to hold those squealing little pigs when they were young. Gerald served as Avery Township committee person for several years and worked a number of years for the ASCS measuring and checking farms, as well as bin sites and elevators taking in government sealed corn. He was a Boy Scout leader for the Goodell troop for 12 years, and Kay has some great memories of the fun they had at Boy Scout camp and his leadership and cooking abilities. Memories of duck hunting with Don and Wilmer Burk at Twin Lakes were an important highlight in Gerald’s life. He will also be remembered as shooting the last wolf in Hancock County. For many, many years he sold seed corn and seed beans and was very proud of his achievements. He enjoyed meeting and visiting with his customers. He worked during the winters for 15 years for the county assessor in Hancock County. Gerald was a highly respected and trusted county supervisor for 12 years and served on numerous committees for the county when working in that capacity.

Gerald was a faithful Lions member for many years and served as Lion zone chairman for his district. He also served on the county historical board for Hancock County for several years. He will be remembered as a loyal and devout member of the United Methodist Church in Goodell for all his life, having been baptized and confirmed there in his youth. Gerald was active in church in many capacities throughout his life and served as the administrative board chairman. He loved his church and worshiped faithfully every Sunday. Gerald loved his wife and sons with all his heart; they were always first in his thoughts and concerns. He was a just and truthful man in all ways; likewise, he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much, always being interested in their activities and well-being. He will be so deeply missed by all his family.

Gerald is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Nellie; his sons, Kay (Gloria) and Dean (Joyce) Burk; his five grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Woiwood, Steve (Julie) Burk, Dana (Kathy) Burk, Sarah (Frank) Oldham, Richard (Cassie) Burk; 11 great-grandchildren, Adam, Aaron, Annie and Ashton Woiwood; Alyssa, Abigail, Karina, Brayden and Kaylie Burk; Delbert Oldham; Adrian Martin. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer and Elizabeth Burk; brother, Donald, and his wife, Doris Burk. Dugger Ewing Funeral Home.