Obituary of Bernard Ralph Burkle

Bernard R. Burkle, 84, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away peacefully Thursday, July 11, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2013, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Bernie was born March 8, 1929, in Dyersville Iowa, the son of Paul and Anna (Olberding) Burkle. He married Lorraine Wille on September 24, 1952, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Guttenberg, Iowa. Together they farmed east of Dyersville for 40 years until retiring in Dyersville. He was a member of the Dyersville Country Club, the Knights of Columbus Council 1734 and Dubuque County Farm Bureau. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, 5 children: Shirley (Dave) Maiers of Minneapolis, MN, Carol (Gary) Linden of East Dubuque, IL, Gary (Cindy) Burkle of Dyersville, and Edward Burkle of Robins, IA, a daughter-in-law, Jannette (Rich) Loshbough of Elgin, IL; 14 grandchildren: Derrick Burkle, Lindsey (fiance Mike) Burkle, Kelsey (fiance Pat) Maiers, Brad (Lisa) Maiers, Nick (fiance Ashley) Maiers, Jarrad Linden, Kayla and Colten Burkle, Natalie (Cooper) Harwood, Cassidy, Isaac, Elias, Levi and Piper Burkle; siblings: Charles Burkle of Dyersville, Leon (Theresa) Burkle of Earlville, Walter (Verna) Burkle, Betty Gassman, Harold (Gladys) Burkle, Gerald (Rose Ann) Burkle, and Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, all of Dyersville; in-laws: Rosemary Menke of Dyersville, Margaret Wille of Dubuque, Donald (Dorothy) Wille of Guttenberg, and Leona Berger of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Robert in 1995, siblings: Lorraine (Joe) Stephan and George (Thelma) Burkle; his parents-in-law: Leo and Susan Wille and in-laws: Luetta Burkle, Jerome Hermsen, John Gassman, Elizabeth (LaVern) Hoeger, Victor Menke, JoAnn Wille and Lawrence Wille. Memorials are preferred to St. Francis Xavier Basilica and Hospice of Dubuque.