Debbie Burke

Debra S. Burke, 68, of Waukon, IA, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, April 15th, at 11:30 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Debra Sue Burke was born March 2, 1955, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Clinton Dale and Lorna Jean (Hermeier) Winters. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and grew up on her family's farm in Waterville, IA. She attended Waterville Elementary School, graduated from Waukon High School in 1973, and received her degree from Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI.

While she and her husband, Randy Burke, originally met in high school and shared many friends, the two didn't connect again until years later in La Crosse, WI. They began dating and married on May 23, 1981, at Zion UCC. After marriage, Randy and Debbie welcomed a daughter, Kelly, before relocating from St. Paul, MN, back to northern Iowa. The couple settled in Garner for 27 years, where Debbie worked as a bookkeeper, until she ultimately retired to pursue her love of woodworking, furniture restoration, and reupholstery. After Randy retired in 2018, they returned to their hometown of Waukon.

Debbie was an avid seamstress who loved to sew and alter clothing. As a teen, her work was featured at the Iowa State Fair. She enjoyed flowers, plants, and working in her garden. She and Randy enjoyed fishing together on Clear Lake, watching the ever-present wildlife on their acreage, and going on rides in their Ranger and Dodge Super Bee – a car she only let Randy buy due to its unique purple color. Debbie enjoyed spending time with her longtime friends, especially cherishing their annual get-togethers.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 42 years, Randy Burke, of Waukon; her daughter Kelly Burke of Oak Park, IL; brother Jim (Mary) Winters of Waukon; nephews: Tim (Patti) Winters of Chapel Hill, NC, and their children: Elliott and Honor, and Steve Winters of Durango, CO; mother-in-law Mary Ann Burke of Waukon; sister-in-law Cindy (Steve) Iverson of Waukon; two brothers-in-law: Rick (Katie) Burke of Forest City, IA, and Reggie (Amy) Burke of Wapello, IA; their children and grandchildren; and her Yorkshire terrier Lacey. She was preceded in death by both her parents, her father-in-law Raymond Burke, and some of her very closest friends.

Cards of condolence can be mailed to Randy Burke at 551 Rodayo Drive, Waukon, IA 52172, or sent online at www.martinfunerals.com.