Obituary of Dorothy Mary Burlage

Dorothy M. Burlage, 94, of Dyersville and formerly of Worthington, Iowa died Saturday, December 26, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Dyersville, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 27, 2009, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish Rosary will be held at 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2009, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Phil Kruse. Dorothy was born on October 19, 1915, in Placid, Iowa, the daughter of Mike and Mary (Horsfield) Urbain. She received her education in the St. Paul High School and received a teaching degree from the University of Dubuque. She taught school in the Worthington and Placid areas. On February 14, 1939, she was united in marriage to Elmer Burlage at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa. She was a devoted wife of 66 years until Elmer's death in 2005. Together they farmed for several years in the Dundee area and then Worthington until their retirement. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Worthington. She spent much time in lical organizations: Farm Bureau, the Dubuque County Fair and 4-H. She was known for her local art including the scoreboard at the Worthington baseball park and the St. Francis Church logo. She also shared her art with family and friends. Her most recent project was gathering, preparing and developing a geneology history of the immediate families. Dorothy spent much of her time taking care of her family and the duties of a farm wife. Strawberries were one of her garden specialties. She was an avid bowler for many years and enjoyed her many bowling friends. Many of her neighbors and family were among her card playing friends and one of her favorite pastimes. Survivors include five daughters: Julie Hosch of Cascade, IA, Anna Jane Meyer of West Olive, MI, Elizabeth Burlage of Chicago, IL, Lois (Keith) Rinderknecht of Ham Lake, MN, Karen (Tim) Nefzger of Dyersville, three sons: Joe (Helen) Burlage, Ed (Mary Lou) Burlage, and Tom (Lois) Burlage all of Worthington, IA, 23 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law: Dorothy and Gertruce Urbain, both of Farley, IA and 2 brothers-in-law: Anselm Willenborg of Dyersville, IA and Don (Mickey) Brulage of Worthington, IA. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer in 2005, one grandson, Frederick Meyer, one son-in-law, John Hosch, 3 brothers: Ray, Wilbur and Earl Urbain, and a sister, Odeil Hoffman Willenborg.