Joan Burke

Joan Burke, 86, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Genesis Medical Center- East in Davenport, following a brief illness.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. July 17, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. July 18, 2025 in the church, the Rev. Fr. Mike Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to St. Joseph School, St. Joseph Education Foundation, KGYS Radio, and L’Arche in Clinton.

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Joan Esther Lanigan was born August 2, 1938, in Waukon, Iowa, to Jerome and Mary (Ahearn) Lanigan. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Waukon, and continued her education at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids, receiving a degree in teaching. She taught first grade in Elwood, where she met Charles Burke. They were married on June 4, 1960, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lost Nation. The couple settled in DeWitt, where Joan was a dedicated homemaker, farming with her husband for many years and together raising 5 children. Joan furthered her education with a bachelor’s degree from Marycrest College, and later worked at the DeWitt Library, an extension of her lifelong passion for reading.

Joan placed the highest importance on her spiritual and church life, closely followed by her love and devotion to family. She was a devout and longtime member, serving with the Altar and Rosary and as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt.  She was involved in establishing KGYS (Know God Your Savior) Catholic Radio of DeWitt and was a passionate supporter of Right To Life. Joan was involved in many community activities over the years, including Meals on Wheels and religious education. Joan was a devoted grandmother to her 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She loved attending and supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She would call each and every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild on their birthday and sing “Happy Birthday” over the phone. Joan was an avid card player, and relished the drubbings she would give her family on a regular basis.

Surviving are her children, and their spouses, Cathy and Al Soukup of Fairfax, Dan and Karen Burke of DeWitt, Dave and Susan Burke of Bettendorf, Larry and LynnAnn Burke of Naperville, Illinois; grandchildren, Marc and Greg Soukup and Aimee (Taylor) Richards, Michael (Jennifer), Emily, Ryan, Matt and Crystal Burke, Katie (Brandon LeBlanc), Brian, Maggie and Kevin Burke, Madeline, Connor (fiancée Olivia Mani) and Elizabeth Burke; greatgrandchildren, Bailey and Carlee Lincoln, and Colt and Charlotte Burke; sisters-in-law Marian Connell and Karen (Florian) Steffen; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, a daughter, Peggy, her parents, Mary and Jerome, stepmother, Marie, a sister and brother-in-law Margaret (James) Wacker, in-laws, Ramon (Crystal) Burke, Al Connell, JC Gohlmann, and nephews, Dennis Burke, Mart Connell, and Mark McDermott.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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