William Burke

    William F. “Bill” Burke, 86, of Clear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 at home.  A memorial Mass was held Friday, Dec. 30, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake.  Msgr. Joseph J. Slepicka celebrated the Mass.  Inurnment was in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Military rites were provided by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. 
    Bill was born Nov. 11, 1925 in Mason City, the youngest of three children of Dr. Thomas A. and Elizabeth J. (Price) Burke.  He graduated from Mason City High School in 1943 and the University of Iowa in 1949 where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.  Bill served as a U.S. Navy medic in the Pacific during WW II and was honorably discharged in May of 1946.  After college Bill lived in Florida in the West Palm area for almost 20 years where he worked in sales. He returned to Mason City in 1968 working in sales for Tyler-Ryan Furniture, S&R Chevrolet and he retired from Guardian Photo in 1992.  Bill married Marcia Kerr Doughman April 13, 1973 in St. Louis Park, Minn. and they moved to Clear Lake in 1973. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. 
    Bill deeply loved his family and friends and they all loved him because of his kind, generous and caring nature and his wonderful sense of humor.  Bill had a joke or quip for every occasion.  He loved living on Clear Lake and not a day passed that Bill didn’t appreciate the view of the water and sky.  One of Bill’s passions was driving, whether it was his classic Corvette, his boat, his motorcycle or a plane.  Red was his favorite color.  Bill loved to dance with Marcia, especially to the music of the big bands at the Surf Ballroom.  Bill was on the first Honor Flight from North Iowa-Winnebago recognizing WWII Veterans from Mason City to Washington D.C. in 2009.
    Bill is survived by his wife, Marcia K. Burke, of Clear Lake; children, Deb (Roger) Samson of Nevada, Iowa, David Doughman (Lindsay Parker) of Corvallis, Ore., Sheri Doughman (Joe Larson) of Minneapolis, Minn., and Rich Doughman of Mason City; grandchildren, Allison and Rick Samson, Jessica Alonzo and Ariel Doughman, Peter and Jack Larson; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
    Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas A. Burke Jr.; and sister, Kathryn Ann Harrer.  
    The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of North Iowa for their kindness and compassionate care.