Warren Francis Burger

WARREN FRANCIS BURGER

Iowa City

Warren Francis Burger, 98, longtime resident of Iowa City, passed peacefully to eternal life on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the church before burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville, where a vigil will be held at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City New Horizons Band or Emmanuel Hospice of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Warren was born on March 24, 1920, in Iowa City. He married Barbara Ricketts on April 4, 1944, at St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1938 and from the University of Iowa in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.

He served during World War II with the Seabees, Pacific Area 22nd Navy Construction Battalion on Attu Island, and later in California. After the war, Warren joined Burger Construction Co., where he served as president from 1949 to 1987. He enjoyed an encore career with his university alma mater from 1988 to 1994 in the Department of Planning and Administrative Services, where he worked until his retirement.

Warren was an active lifetime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Chi Epsilon, the University of Iowa Presidents Club, Elks Club, Noon Rotary Club, Iowa City Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa City Board of Adjustment. He sat on the board of directors of the Ronald McDonald House, Oaknoll Retirement Residence and the University Athletic Club. Warren had a refined appreciation of classical music. He enjoyed performing as an oboist with the Iowa City New Horizons Band and playing ensemble music with his friends. He loved his Iowa Hawkeyes, attending home and away football and basketball games for decades.

Even more than his love of the Hawks was Warren's love of his family, beginning with his dear wife, Barbara, and extending to each and every family member. He and Barbara had innumerable special friends with whom they enjoyed tennis, skiing, bridge, travel and dancing. He had a gift for meaningful conversation, always looking right at you while asking crucial questions and then providing assurance that you can achieve anything you so desire. He delighted all of us with his endearing sense of humor and always recognizable laugh. This kind, gentle, loving, optimistic man of committed Christian faith will be greatly missed.

His family is thankful for the compassionate care Warren received from Emmanuel Hospice, Atrio Home Health Care and the staff of Clark at Keller Lake in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he and Barbara had resided since 2014.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Barbara; three sons, Thomas Burger (Andree Robert), Stephen Burger and William (Nancy) Burger; and two daughters, Barbara (Marc) Sink and Mary (Kevin) Gustafson. He will be lovingly missed by his 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lulu Burger; and son, James Frank (1949-1952); and siblings, Richard Burger and Mildred Parizek.