Leander Ralph Burkle

Leander “Lee” Ralph Burkle, 93, of Earlville, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Mercy One Senior Care in Dyersville, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home in Earlville. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m.at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Earlville with the Reverend David Schatz. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Earlville, with Military Honors.

Lee was born on April 27, 1932, in Dyersville Iowa, the son of Frank and Emma (Willenborg) Burkle. He received his education at the Olberding Country School. After serving two years, 1953 until 1955, in the United States Army, he married the love of his life “Mary” Lavonne Feldmann on September 8, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville. In 1960, they moved to a farm near Earlville. Together they farmed until their retirement in 1994. Lee enjoyed the time he could help his son Dennis on the farm with fieldwork. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Lee was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for 63 years. Faith, Family, Friends and Farming is what his life was all about. Time’s that he really looked forward to were Sunday Morning Mass and out for breakfast with friends. He also enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Branson, Missouri.

Lee is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lavonne Burkle; his children, Thomas Burkle of Earlville, Dennis (Sherry) Burkle of Earlville, Joan (Don) Leuchs of Dyersville;9 grandchildren, Rachael, Renee, Kayla, Emmalee, Melinda (Evan), Cassandra, Dannielle, Kyle (Brittany) Leuchs, Eric (Kristin) Leuchs; and 9 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his siblings, Donald Burkle and Delbert Burkle of Dyersville; in-laws, Deloras Burkle of Earlville, Elmer (Dorothy) Feldmann of Hopkinton, Dave (Sandy) Feldmann of Alburnett, Irvin Feldmann of Earlville, Tony (Joyce) Feldmann of Earlville, Loras (Mary) Feldmann of Farley, Gerald (Barb) Feldmann of Epworth, Dan (Barb) Feldmann of Cedar Rapids and Leanna Feldmann of Petersburg. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Emma Burkle; daughter Julie Burkle Pritchard;, parents-in-law, Anton and Isabella Feldmann; sister, Alice (Jerome) Wulfekuhle: brothers, James Burkle, Herbert (Wilma) Burkle, Cletus (Grace) Burkle, sister-in-law, Dorothy Burkle; in-laws, Theresa (Leon) Burkle, Jerome ( Mary Jane) Feldmann, Floyd (Harriet “Rita”) Feldmann, Les (Joan) Feldmann and Paul Feldmann. .

Lee’s family would like to extend a deep thanks to all who supported and cared for him, especially the staff at Mercy One Senior Care, Mercy One Dyersville and the doctors and staff of Medical Associates. Your wonderful care was remarkable and so appreciated.

Memorials in Leander’s memory may be directed to the family.