Services were held Friday, Sept. 21, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson for Rose Mary Burke, 86, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Jefferson.
Mass of the Resurrection was concelebrated by Fr Roger Linnan, Fr John Gerald, and Fr Bill Brunner. Mary Beth Burke Neal gave the eulogy.
Music was provided by the St Joseph guitar group, pianist Rick Morain and oboist Elena Burke.
Casket bearers were Elena Burke, Emily burke, Katie Neal, Elizabeth Burke, Sofia Burke, Sarah Burke, Isabela de Ruiter and Maria Burke. Interment was at the St Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Rose Mary Brunner was born April 26, 1932. She was the middle child of Mike and Elizabeth Brunner. She had two older sisters, Bonnie Kienzie and Mary Ann Holden, and two younger brothers, Dick Brunner and Fr. Bill Brunner. Rose Mary grew up in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950.
Following high school Rose Mary attended Creighton University. She took two years off to join the Maryknoll novitiate in New York. Upon her return, she finished her degree in medical technology from Creighton.
Rose Mary and Bob were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson on January 31, 1959. They raised seven children: John (Maureen), James (Maria), David (Audrey), MaryAnn (Hans-Peter), Steve (Katie), Mary Beth (Tim), and Theresa (David).
Rose Mary was grandmother to 26 grandchildren: Robert, Matthew, Michael, Elena, Emily, Nathaniel, Sofia, Caleb, Joshua, Peter, Sarah, Maria, Abigail, Vincent, Frederick, Hans-Peter, Isabella, Elizabeth, Ian, Maura, Marisa, Katie, Daniel, James, Isaac, and Benjamin.
Rose Mary stayed active in the Jefferson community as religious educator and member of Guild and Peace & Justice Committees at St. Joseph, Renew Director for the Sioux City Diocese, member of bridge club, and Friday Club.
She spent her final years in Cedar Rapids to be closer to her family. The family wishes to send their gratitude for the care she received at Evergreene Ridge in Jefferson and Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services, Greene County Community Schools, or Genesis Development.
