Donald Leo Burke Obituary (1951

Donald Leo Burke was born on August 21, 1951 in West Alice, WI to Bruno and Phyllis Burke. He graduated from St. Pius High School, also in West Alice, WI. Don joined the US Navy in 1971 and served 6 years, receiving an honorable discharge in April of 1977. He took pride in being in the Navy and serving his country, eventually retiring on the U.S.S. Virginia Cgn38 a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. After his military service, Don became an electrician, a job he thoroughly enjoyed and took endless pride in. He spent 26 years with Spain Electric, retiring many years later from Stroh Corporation in 2016. On May 13, 1978, Don married Linda Lee Strickland in Des Moines, IA. Throughout their 46 love filled years together, Don and Linda withstood the tests of time. They met in Virginia but settled in Iowa where they raised two children together. Don was a kind, hard-working, and giving man, a jack of all trades and could do anything he set his mind to. He was a problem solver from sun up to sun down and enjoyed finding a way to fix anything and everything that was broken, and building anything he could that would make things easier for his wife and children at home. His favorite build being the beautiful Sunroom he added onto the family home. Some of Don’s most cherished hobbies was boating at their cabin, Sudoku, completing hundreds of puzzles over holidays with his daughter, Heather, as well as playing “Chicken” with his children, grandchildren, and even his great grandchildren. At the age of 72, Don left this world in a room overflowing with love, surrounded by his closest family, and finally at peace on July 3, 2024. He was preceded in death by Bruno (Dad) and Phyllis (Mom) Burke, and John, Anthony, and Marion (Siblings). Don is survived by many people left to cherish his memory including: his Wife Linda Burke, Brother Joe Burke (Mary), Daughter Heather Lundstrom (Doug), Grandchildren Lindsay Hagen (Dan), Alexandra Deitrich (Clint), William Fox (Ashley), Aralynn Lundstrom and Karina Lundstrom, and Great Grandchildren Ethan, Alexander, Benjamin, and baby??? Due in December (Hagen), Landon, Xavier, and Xyonna (Deitrich), and Emily and RaeLynn (Fox). He is also survived by his trusty forever sidekick Rascal (Dog). Memorial service will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Henderson’s Funeral Home (3500 6th Ave. Des Moines, IA 50313) for anyone wishing to pay their final respects to Don. In Lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to help cover final expenses. Any donations can be sent by mail to 3836 8th place Des Moines, IA 50313. Please reach out to the family if you would like to donate via another method.