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Leon Burkle
LEON BURKLE
Earlville
Leon Burkle, 90, of Earlville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 9, 2014. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Earlville. The family will greet friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the church, and one hour before Mass on Monday. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Earlville.
Leon was born Feb. 24, 1924, the son of Paul and Anna (Olberding) Burkle, and was united in marriage to Theresa Feldmann on Feb. 7, 1950.
They farmed for 40 years near Ryan, where they raised their 13 children. He retired in Earlville, where he was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He cherished spending time with family, enjoyed playing cards, dancing, helping anyone in need and especially working on the farm.
He was a loving husband to Theresa for 64 years, and a wonderful father to Rita McGrane of Manchester, Lois (Dale) Schulte of Watkins, Rose (Jerry) Dietzenbach of Calmar, Allen (Joyce) Burkle of Ryan, Diane Rabe of Blairstown, Barb (Joe) Geistkemper of Earlville, Kevin (Linda) Burkle of Coggon, Lisa (Steve) Carney of Cedar Rapids, Janice (Joe) Marbach of Ryan, Jane (Scott) Schlegel of Cedar Rapids, Mary (Greg) Lukefahr of Marion, Keith Burkle and Kathy Falconer of Coggon and Amy (Jason) Center of Salem, Ore.; 43 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Burkle, Walter (Verna) Burkle, Harry (Gladys) Burkle and Jerry (Rose Ann) Burkle; sisters, Doris (Alvin) Hermsen and Betty Gassman; and sister-in-law, Lorraine Burkle, all of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Burkle; brother, Bernard Burkle; brother and sister-in-law, George and Thelma Burkle; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Joe Stephan; sister-in-law, Luetta Burkle; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hermsen and John Gassman; sons-in-law, Kenny McGrane and Jerry Rabe; and great-grandchild, Travis Krapfl.
He will be remembered as a patient, hard-working, kind and gentle man who lived a life filled with prayer and devotion to his family.
In lieu of flowers and other gifts, a memorial will be established in Leon's memory.
Please share a memory of Leon at www.
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