Dennis ‘Denny’ Burke, 49

June 9, 1970 —

Jan. 25, 2020

 

ALTA VISTA - Dennis “Denny” E. Burke, age 49 of Alta Vista, Iowa, passed away due to complications of cancer on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating the mass. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Alta Vista.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista with a 3:45 p.m. Rosary. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Dennis Edward was born on June 9, 1970, the son of John and Eleanor (Wichman) Burke in New Hampton, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Crestwood (Cresco, Iowa) High School in 1989. After completing his education, he worked as a welder at Featherlite for 25 years, then Reicks View Farms and Innovative Ag Services before retiring due to complication with his battle against cancer. 

He was united in marriage to Janna Busch on June 4, 1994 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alta Vista. Together, they made their home there and welcomed three boys, Mason, Carson and Benson “Ben.” The couple later divorced, but remained close friends. 

Denny was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer in January 2017. From the first diagnosis, he fought fiercely and maintained that a body in motion stays in motion and was often heard saying, “I may have cancer, but cancer does NOT have me!” 

Throughout his life, Denny had the reputation of pulling pranks and being the life of the party. He could often be found socializing and grilling something good. His chocolate chip cookies were always a hit! He enjoyed gardening, canning salsa and hunting and fishing with his three sons. He was active with them in Boy Scouts and especially enjoyed taking them camping. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista.

Those left to honor Denny’s memory are his sons, Mason Burke, Carson Burke and Ben Burke, all of New Hampton; his mother, Eleanor Burke of Elma, Iowa; his siblings, Ann (Dennis) O’Brien of Elma, John Burke of Cresco, Edward (Kris Timp) Burke of Spillville, Iowa, Joseph (Sandra) Burke of Lime Springs, Iowa, Patrick (Renee) Burke of Elma, Gene Burke of Elma, Chuck (Wendy) Burke of New Hampton, Rick (Lisa Kriener) Burke of Elma, Randy (Jenny) Burke of Elma and Kenny (Christine) Burke of Cresco; brother-in-law, Jeff Nibaur of Elma; ex-wife, Janna Burke of New Hampton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher; his father, John Burke; sister, Rose Nibaur; sister-in-law, Sue Burke; and nephews, Adam Burke, Brian Burke and Anthony Burke.