Obituary of Cletus Bernard Burkle

Cletus was born on May 6, 1930, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Frank and Emma (Willenborg) Burkle. He worked as a hired man for 9 years before joining the U.S. Marine Corp. in April of 1952. Clete served in Korea during the Korean War for 10 months before being honorably discharged on March 28, 1954. After his return from the service he married Grace Kelchen on June 10, 1954 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Greeley, Iowa. Together they farmed northwest of Dyersville for 33 years until their retirement and moved to town in February of 1988. Clete also worked for Floyd's Feed Store at the Petersburg Spur for 21 years, as well did custom combining for many years with his Gleaner Combine. He enjoyed combining and continued to do so after retirement helping his son Mike with field work until this year when he was physically unable to do so anymore. Clete was a wonderful husband to Grace, father to Mike and 4 grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of St. Francis Xavier Parish and as a religious man, held the position of Circle chairman and Circle leader numerous times. Clete also ushered for 30 years and was head usher for 13 years. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 137 and the Edward W. Lake VFW Post 7736 in New Vienna. Clete enjoyed morning coffee at the Dyersville Family Restaurant and afternoons at Farmers Shipping. Survivors include his wife, Grace of 56 years, son, Mike of Dyersville, 4 grandchildren: Ryan, Camille, Eric and Shannon Burkle, and their mother, Kathy; his sister & brothers: Alice Wulfekuhle of Monticello, James (Delores), Leander (Lavonne) both of Earlville, Delbert (Dorothy), and Donald (Lois) Burkle, both of Dyersville; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Elsie (Emil) Althoff of Earlville, Harold (Pearl) Kelchen of Ryan, Gerald (Norma) of Manchester, LeRoy (Rose) of Dyersville, Leon (Dixie) of Dundee. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Herbert (Wilma) Burkle, his parents-in-law, Peter and Florence Kelchen; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Jerome Wulfekuhle, Ernie (Erma) Kelchen, Lloyd Kelchen, Eugene Kelchen and Verna Kelchen; nephews: Tim Burkle and Ron Steffen. The family would like to express their appreciation to Above and Beyond Hospice Care in Monticello for the love and care given to Clete. Friends may call from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. and an American Legion / VFW service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Robert Gross. Military Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 137 and V.F.W. Post 7736.