Doris Evelyn (Roske) Burmeister

Doris E. Burmeister was born September 3, 1925, and was raised near Knierim, Iowa. She attended Manson High School and graduated from Fort Dodge High School. She married Leonard “Len” Burmeister on August 27, 1943.

She was a devoted mother to Jim and Jan. She helped Len with their farming operation and worked twenty-one years at Knierim/New Co-op. Doris also served as the City Water Clerk and Treasurer, starting in 1980. For a brief period during WWII, she lived near Fort Lewis in Washington state to be with Len. She lived the rest of her life in and around the Knierim community except for the last four years, which she spent at Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids to be near family.

Doris was most proud of her 71-year marriage to her sweetheart and lifelong dancing partner, Len. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially laughing, playing cards, and baking. She had a sharp wit and fun-loving nature, combined with a caring soul. She was great with numbers and used that talent to keep the books for the elevator, the town, and many church related activities.

Doris was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Knierim. She was baptized there on December 6, 1925 and was active in many facets of the church including Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, Church Council, and Stewardship Committee.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband Len, two sons Jim and Lynn, grandson Matthew, her mother Ella Roske Shirk, her father William Roske, her stepfather Charles Shirk, and two siblings Bob and Marge. Doris is survived by her daughter Jan Helling (husband Larry), grandchildren Jill, Kelly, Kyle, and Ryan Helling, Christie Reason (husband Aaron), three great-grandchildren, Hadley, Sadie, and Reese, her sister Jean Jacobsen, and her sister-in-law Dortha Roske. Her grandchildren lovingly referred to her as “Mimi.”

Her wink and her smile brightened our lives and will be embedded in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to His Hands Free Clinic, 400 12th Street S. E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

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