Obituary of Charles Elmer Burkle

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Charles E. Burkle, 95, of Dyersville died Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held from 1:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 8:30 – 10 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jeff Dole will officiate. Charles was born Nov. 14, 1920, in Dyersville the son of Paul and Anna (Olberding) Burkle. He received his education at Xavier School. He married Luetta Tauke on January 5, 1942, in St. Francis Xavier Basilica. She preceded him in death on December 5, 1990. Together they raised their family on a farm southeast of Dyersville and in 1971 moved to their home in Dyersville. They were strong advocates for persons with disabilities helping to found Dyersville Progress, Inc., where Charles served as the Director for Progress Workshop. They later helped to found Progress Family Center. They shared with their family the importance of a strong faith and prayer life that would get them through the challenging times, and to give thanks when blessings were given to them. Charles enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren involved in a variety of school and sports activities. His favorite pastime was spent creating home floor plans, rides in the country, visiting and playing cards with his family and friends and watching his daughters sing with the Lemon Sisters. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and was an active member of his parish community. In 2002, he moved to the Ellen Kennedy Living Center, a place he called “a little bit of heaven.” Charles is survived by a son, Carl (Elaine) of Dyersville, and nine daughters: Lou Ann (Joe Fagan) Burkle of Des Moines, Sister Marge Burkle of Mount St. Francis in Dubuque, Janet (Tom) Willenborg of Corona, Calif., Joan Recker of Dyersville, Mary Kay (Gary) Johannes of Greeley, Norma (Ron)Wegmann of Petersburg, Sharon (Paul) Deutmeyer and Nancy (Mike) Deutmeyer, both of Dyersville, and Sara Burkle of Dubuque; 26 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren; a special friend, Marge Desseyn; he is also survived by 2 sisters: Betty Gassmann and Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, and 3 brothers: Walter (Verna Mae), Harold (Gladys) Gerald (Rose Ann), all of Dyersville; and sisters-in-law, Theresa Burkle of Manchester and Lorraine Burkle of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his wife, three sons-in-law: Melvin Goebel, Larry Russell, and Donald T. Recker, his parents, Paul and Anna, his parents-in law, Louis and Ann Tauke, a sister, Lorraine (Joe) Stephan, three brothers: George (Thelma) Burkle, Bernard Burkle and Leon Burkle; in-laws: Jerome Hermsen, John Gassman, Ambrose (Anna Mae) Tauke, Leonard (Frances) Tauke, Arnold (Clara) Tauke, Herb Tauke, Marie Tauke, Annetta (Herman) Geistkemper and Eileen (Leo) Hoeger. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Ellen Kennedy Center, Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for the care and compassion they gave to Charles. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.