Merle F. Burken

Merle F. Burken 58, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 23, 2011 at his home in Bellevue, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation for Merle will be held from 3:00 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the church and again Tuesday morning after 9:00 a.m. Hachmann Funeral Home of Bellevue is in charge of arrangements. Merle was born on October 11, 1952 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Edward and Arletta (Lovell) Burken. He grew up in Sugar Creek, Iowa, and attended grade school there. He graduated from Northeast High School in Goose Lake, Iowa. He married Patsy (Cavanagh) Helmle on June 5, 1987, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook. Merle worked as an electrician for various companies before starting his own company Burken Electric Heating and Cooling for 40 years. There wasnt anywhere Merle could go that he didnt know someone. He loved golf and going on his annual golf trip to California with his buddies. He also loved boating with his family and friends. Merle was an avid Hawkeye fan and Denver Bronco fan. He was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Springbrook where he was a previous council member. He belonged to the Bellevue Knights of Columbus, Springbrook Fire Dept. and was a city council member for a number of years until moving to Bellevue to build his dream home on the golf course. Surviving is his wife of 24 years Patsy; three step daughters, Nichole (Keith) Cain of Preston, Kelly (Delali) Dow of Lisle Il, Markell (Victor) Kuper of Cedar Rapids; and one son Drew Burken of Dubuque; One grandson Ty Cain; three granddaughters, Elly Cain, Johnna Kuper, and Emmefa Dow; brothers and sisters, Alan (Carlene) of Powell, Wy, Roger (Mary) of Blue Hill. Ne, Linda Lamp of Charlotte, Donna (David) Hotchkiss of Eldridge, Denis (Mary) of Tomah, Wi, Brian (Elaine) Burken, of Charlotte, Diane (Pat) Mullin of Charlotte, Kevin (Jacky) of Clinton, Joyce (Jim) Rogis of Clinton, and Craig of Maquoketa. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and one brother, Daryl, a brother in-law, Leroy Lamp, and nephew, Brock Burken. The family wishes to thank everyone who has been so gracious to us with volunteering their time to help with all our needs at home. You will never be forgotten. We are also grateful to Dr. Hunter and the Medical Associates staff in Bellevue, Dr. Schultheis, all Merles angels at the Wendt Center and to Hospice of Dubuque especially, Jennifer Cavanagh, Kristina, and Nichole for all their compassion and caring in his last days. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com