Rose Mary Burke

April 26, 1932 - September 15, 2018

Rose Mary Burke Jefferson, Iowa Date of Death: September 15, 2018 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’s Catholic Church in Jefferson, IA 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 twenty-six 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 Evergreen 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 School, or Genesis. Funeral Mass for Rosemary Burke, 86 of Jefferson will be 10:30 Friday, September 21, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be Thursday, September 20, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. A Rosary Service will begin at 7:00 pm followed by a time of sharing. A private family burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Jefferson, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com. Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home 515-386-2171