116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Ivan Burmeister
IVAN L. BURMEISTER
Iowa City
Ivan L. Burmeister, 90, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence.
Ivan was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Plattsmouth, Neb., the son of Max and Wilhelmina (Dagendorfer) Burmeister. He graduated from Louisville, Neb., High School with the class of 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Craven during World War II. During his enlistment, he married his high school sweetheart, Dortha "Fern" Shelton, on Feb. 5, 1945, in Louisville. After four years of service, he earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Nebraska. In 1965, he earned a master's degree in hydraulics, and enjoyed a fulfilling career in water resources with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Ivan was a life member of many professional and community organizations. Optimist International was his lifelong commitment, where he served at both the local and district levels. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
His family includes his wife, Fern; two daughters and their husbands, Linda and John Howar and Carol and Bob Wise; seven grandchildren, Susan Zabaronick (Bill), Sara Siebold (Mark), Melissa Howar, Amanda Howar, Emily Bildstein, David Bildstein and Mike Bildstein; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Iola Bigelow; and a brother, Marvin Burmeister.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for streets around the church.) A reception for family and friends will follow the services in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Private family burial services will take place later at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ivan's memory to the Appalachian Service Project c/o First United Methodist Church, Oaknoll Foundation or Optimist Club of Iowa City.
Online condolences can be shared with his family through the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.
Daily Newsletters