Leon Burkle
February 24, 1924 — December 9, 2014
Leon Burkle, 90, of Earlville passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 9, 2014. Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Earlville. The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the church, and one hour before Mass on Monday. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Earlville.
Leon was born on February 24, 1924, the son of Paul and Anna (Olberding) Burkle and was united in marriage to Theresa Feldmann on February 7, 1950.
They farmed near Ryan for 40 years where they raised their thirteen children. He retired in Earlville where he was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He cherished spending time with family, enjoyed playing cards, dancing, helping anyone in need and especially working on the farm.
He was a loving husband to Theresa for 64 years and a wonderful father to Rita McGrane of Manchester; Lois (Dale) Schulte of Watkins; Rose (Jerry) Dietzenbach of Calmar; Allen (Joyce) Burkle of Ryan; Diane Rabe of Blairstown; Barb (Joe) Geistkemper of Earlville; Kevin (Linda) Burkle of Coggon; Lisa (Steve) Carney of Cedar Rapids; Janice (Joe) Marbach of Ryan; Jane (Scott) Schlegel of Cedar Rapids; Mary (Greg) Lukefahr of Marion; Keith Burkle and Kathy Falconer of Coggon; Amy (Jason) Center of Salem, OR, 43 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Burkle, Walter (Verna) Burkle, Harry (Gladys) Burkle, and Jerry (Rose Ann) Burkle; sisters, Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, and Betty Gassman; and sister-in-law, Lorraine Burkle, all of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Burkle, brother Bernard Burkle; brother and sister-in-law George and Thelma Burkle; sister and brother-in-law Lorraine and Joe Stephan; sister-in-law Luetta Burkle; brothers-in-law Jerry Hermsen and John Gassman; sons-in-law Kenny McGrane and Jerry Rabe and great-grandchild Travis Krapfl.
He will be remembered as a patient, hard working, kind and gentle man who lived a life filled with prayer and devotion to his family.
In lieu of flowers and other gifts, a memorial will be established in Leon’s memory.
Leon was born on February 24, 1924, the son of Paul and Anna (Olberding) Burkle and was united in marriage to Theresa Feldmann on February 7, 1950.
They farmed near Ryan for 40 years where they raised their thirteen children. He retired in Earlville where he was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He cherished spending time with family, enjoyed playing cards, dancing, helping anyone in need and especially working on the farm.
He was a loving husband to Theresa for 64 years and a wonderful father to Rita McGrane of Manchester; Lois (Dale) Schulte of Watkins; Rose (Jerry) Dietzenbach of Calmar; Allen (Joyce) Burkle of Ryan; Diane Rabe of Blairstown; Barb (Joe) Geistkemper of Earlville; Kevin (Linda) Burkle of Coggon; Lisa (Steve) Carney of Cedar Rapids; Janice (Joe) Marbach of Ryan; Jane (Scott) Schlegel of Cedar Rapids; Mary (Greg) Lukefahr of Marion; Keith Burkle and Kathy Falconer of Coggon; Amy (Jason) Center of Salem, OR, 43 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Burkle, Walter (Verna) Burkle, Harry (Gladys) Burkle, and Jerry (Rose Ann) Burkle; sisters, Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, and Betty Gassman; and sister-in-law, Lorraine Burkle, all of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Burkle, brother Bernard Burkle; brother and sister-in-law George and Thelma Burkle; sister and brother-in-law Lorraine and Joe Stephan; sister-in-law Luetta Burkle; brothers-in-law Jerry Hermsen and John Gassman; sons-in-law Kenny McGrane and Jerry Rabe and great-grandchild Travis Krapfl.
He will be remembered as a patient, hard working, kind and gentle man who lived a life filled with prayer and devotion to his family.
In lieu of flowers and other gifts, a memorial will be established in Leon’s memory.
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