Carolyn “Carnie” Burke
BURKE, KEMPF, WILZ, BRANDT, PAUL, LI
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/29/2024 at 10:09:36
Carolyn “Carnie” Burke, 78, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away on January 15, 2024 after a courageous battle with colon cancer.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM at The Kirkwood Room. A family burial will be held at Memory Gardens.
Carolyn was born on October 30, 1945 in Ripley, West Virginia, the daughter of Walter and Ruth Kempf. She moved to Joetown, IA in spring of 1946 and then to Iowa City in 1950 where she would graduate from Iowa City High School in 1963. Carolyn was united in marriage to the love of her life and best friend, Jack Burke, on August 27, 1966. She worked in the Iowa City Assessor’s office for 28 years, becoming the first female deputy accessor. Carolyn retired in 2005.
Carolyn enjoyed many interests with friends and family over the course of her life, including Iowa football and basketball, card group, and bowling. She was an avid reader, explored genealogy, loved to travel and cook, rarely making the same meal twice. After retirement, Jack and Carolyn spent 18 winters in Destin, Florida. Their happy place! Carolyn’s biggest love was of her family. She loved following the Great 8 (her grandchildren) in all their activities and spending as much time with them as possible.
Carolyn will be remembered as a kind, loving wife, mother, sister, friend and grandmother who loved and supported her husband and raised a family who will follow her traditions, example and love forever.
Carolyn is survived by Jack Burke, her husband of 57 years; children Angie Wilz (Fred), of Ankeny, Amy Brandt (Tom) of Iowa City and Jeff Burke (Kate), of Cummings Georgia and grandchildren Izzy Brandt, Zach Wilz, Grace Brandt, Hannah Wilz, Jack Brandt, Delaney Burke, Brady Burke, Stella Burke; her sister Elaine Paul (Terry); brother-in laws David Burke (Paula Li) and Bill Burke (Lisa) and several nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her parent’s, Walter and Ruth Kempf, in-laws Cletus and Peg Burke and grandson Nicolas Wilz.
Carolyn would like to send a special thank you to all the hardworking, always smiling, always upbeat and so helpful doctors and nurses in UIHC cancer and infusion clinic. You are the best.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or by calling 1-800-227-2345.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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