Paul Burrack

PAUL D. BURRACK

Mount Vernon

Paul D. Burrack, 95, of Mount Vernon, died Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Paul was born Dec. 15, 1926, to Henry and Mary (Gienapp) Burrack in Hopkinton, Iowa. He attended school in Hopkinton and graduated in 1945 as valedictorian of his class. Paul played basketball in high school and was proud of his small team (only 11 players) that almost went to state, only losing the very last game before the state tournament. He entered into the service with the U.S. Army on Feb. 17, 1945, at age 18. He served in the 6th Infantry Division Band and was also specially trained as a rifleman. During his time in the service, Paul received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He ended his service on Dec. 12, 1946, and returned to Hopkinton. Before getting married and moving to Marion, he worked with his uncle in Monticello learning the carpentry trade.

Paul married Esther Sanford on May 25, 1947, and they began farming in rural Springville and then moved to rural Anamosa. They continued farming and then started their own business in 1973 called Authentic Log Homes. Paul was a carpenter and built the log homes and Esther ran the office and the sales.

Paul and Esther were blessed with five children: Stanley (Rayanne) Burrack of Ames, Iowa, Dennis (Nancy) Burrack of Anamosa, Iowa, Randall (Leanne) Burrack of Grimes, Iowa, Carol Burrack of Visalia, Calif., and Janet (Jeff) Fliehler of Anamosa, Iowa. They had 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

After retirement, Paul enjoyed making handcrafted wood projects, including scroll saw clocks and shelves and many, many wood intarsia pictures and wall hangings. He and Esther would go to craft shows and sell his wood projects along with crafts that Esther made. Paul also loved to compete in horseshoe tournaments. He was a member of the Cedar Rapids Horseshoe League and won several trophies. He also enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing pinochle or cards with family and friends, and was a diehard Cubs fan. Go Cubs! Paul and Esther also traveled the country through Elderhostels and visited many interesting and beautiful places.

Paul and Esther were charter members of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marion.

Paul is survived by his five children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; his parents, Henry and Mary; three sisters, Louise, Wilma and Lorna; and one brother, John.

A memorial service will be held at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids at a later date.