Marguerite “Mert” Burch
Marguerite “Mert” Burch
Marguerite “Mert” Marie Burch
November 4, 1931 – November 30, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 82
Marguerite Marie Burch, 82, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, November 30, 2013, at the Pella Hospice Comfort House in Pella.
Mert was born November 4, 1931, in Oskaloosa, the oldest of nine children born to John and Opal Keeran Fleener.
Mert worked as a cashier in the concession stand at the old Rivola Theatre in Oskaloosa. Later she worked as a cashier at the Rivola, Mahaska and Princess Theatres in Oskaloosa. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1950. Following graduation she went to work at Montgomery Wards in Oskaloosa as a credit manager. On April 14, 1952, she was united in marriage to Walter Burch at St. Mary’s in Oskaloosa. In 1975 she took a job with the Oskaloosa Water Department, she retired from there in March of 1994.
In retirement Mert enjoyed traveling and collecting antiques. She delighted in spending time with her family, especially her great granddaughter Zoe. Throughout her life, Mert was the caregiver to many of her elderly and ill family members, and she took it upon herself to see that they received the care they needed.
Her family includes her husband of over 61 years, Walter Burch of Oskaloosa; two daughters and their husbands, Mary Ann and Jim Warren of Dawn, Texas and Norma Jean and Russell Vander Veer of Harvey; six grandchildren: Krista (& Joe, Jr) Hnizdo, Dr. Melissa Warren, Heather (& James) Hilliard, John Warren, Rusty Warren, and Jeff (& Shannon) Long; three great granddaughters, Zoe Long, Bryn Long and Riley Hnizdo; a sister and her husband: Linda and David Walker of Delta; a brother and his wife: Ron and Susie Fleener of Oskaloosa; three sisters in law: Linda Fleener of California, Helene Fleener of Rose Hill, and Mary Lou Fleener of Des Moines; a very close friend and her husband: Judy and Greg VanRees of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
Mert was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Bill Fleener, Larry Fleener and Jerry “Tubby” Fleener; and three sisters, Marilyn Amber, Judy Baker and Patti Maxi.
Graveside funeral service and burial will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jeff Belger officiating.
A procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday for those wishing to go to the cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday after 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5 -7 Monday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
