James "Jim" Burken

James “Jim” Burken, age 80, of Preston, Iowa, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 21, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Preston. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and one hour prior to the Mass.

Jim was born May 7, 1938 in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Wagemester) Burken. He attended St. Joseph of Sugar Creek Catholic School until the eighth grade, then graduated from the Goose Lake High School with the Class of 1956. On October 12, 1963, Jim married the love of his life, Mary Horan. They raised four children and celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Jim and Mary were together as they worked at their long-time business Burken Oil in the Preston area from 1966 – 1999. They then owned and operated Preston Turf Treat for thirteen years. Getting through the ups and downs in life was made easier because Jim had a great sense of humor. Jim was known as hard-working, fun-loving, and compassionate. Whether it was visiting sick children with the Lions Club in Iowa City or helping a family in need, Jim was always willing to assist. He was as big in stature, but gentle as a teddy bear. His children looked up to him as a role model, saying if he thought you were right, he would stand-up for you.

He and Mary enjoyed dancing and raising a family. Jim especially loved when the grandchildren visited, teaching them each how to ride a bike along with fixing many things. He was always inclined mechanically, but also kept up with technology so he could easily communicate by video chat with family. Jim stayed involved in the Preston Community through the Preston Lions Club, Preston Fire & Rescue, and the Knights of Columbus. Jim and Mary would even cook-out hamburgers for the Preston School twice a year. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and in other roles.

Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary Burken of Preston; his three daughters, Brenda (Robert) Heuer of Preston, Julie (Matt) McDonough of Underwood, Iowa and Lisa (Lee) Ruchotzke of Miles; eight grandchildren, Brittany Heuer, Larissa Ruchotzke, Bill Heuer, Landon (fiancé Tessa Daniels) Ruchotzke, Luke (Chelsea) McDonough, Cole, Drew and Brock McDonough; a step grandson, Bob Heuer; and a great grandson, Dacen Heuer.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Terry in 2003; two brothers, Robert in 1977 and Leroy “Butch” in 2008; and a sister, Delores Hansen in 1995.