Richard "Ike" Marburger

Richard “Ike” Marburger of Sabula, IA, passed away Friday, March 15, at his home. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, IL, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Jackson County Hospice and the Calvary Lutheran Food Bank.

Ike was born January 20, 1943, son of Edward and Alberta (Boock) Marburger. He grew up in Sabula, and spent his teenage years on the family farm. Ike attended Sabula schools, and graduated from Sabula High School with the class of 1960. In high school Ike met the love of his life, Carole Kramer. They dated for a short time before getting married on November 26, 1960. Together, Ike and Carole raised six children and celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Ike always liked to be busy, and knew the meaning of a hard day’s work. In 1967, he took over the filling station from his uncle, and started “Ike’s Oil Company,” delivering fuel to local farmers. The next year, Ike and Carole built the Lakeside Cafe, which Carole ran for eight years. Between the filling station, the Lakeside Cafe, and raising a family, Ike wanted to do more so he and Carole bought a farm and the Bulk Plant. The filling station burned down in 1976, and Ike built the Hop-N-Shop across the street. Ike and Carole bought a different farm, which they moved their family to in 1984. Around this time Ike started a small construction company, and was responsible for building many of the buildings in town.

Ike had a large and positive impact on the Sabula community. He put his hard-work ethic and business-oriented mind to work for his friends, neighbors, and all those in Sabula. When asked why he wouldn’t take time off, Ike would say, “Every day is a vacation for me, why would I leave?” His work was his passion, but in his off time Ike enjoyed Stockcar, local dirt track races, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events online. He loved bluegrass and country music and had a hand in helping the Mooney Hollow Barn.

At the center of Ike’s life was his family. He held himself, his kids, and his grandkids to a high moral standard, and would stand by them through thick and thin. He was honest, loyal, and absolutely loved passing his vast knowledge and wisdom down to his children, and grandchildren. Ike was always there to help those he cared for most.

Ike will be dearly missed by his wife, Carole Marburger of Sabula; six children, Dawn Burkholder of Morrison, IL, Jeff (Shari) Marburger of Lyndon Station, WI, Ken Marburger of Miles, IA, Elizabeth Marburger of Perry, IA, Angie McGhee of Iowa City, IA, and JoEllen Hall of Clinton, IA; 16 grandchildren, Kelly, Kyle, Kevin, Austin, Jake, Michael, Zachary, Hannah, Seth, Claire, Grace, Ainsley, Caleeb, Jordan, Mikayla, and Trey; 13 great-grandchildren; and five siblings, Bonnie House of Manchester, IA, Robert Marburger of Sabula, Gary (Penny) Marburger of Ottumwa, IA, Thomas (Sandy) Marburger of Davenport, IA, and Ronald (Janet) Marburger of Arkansas.

Ike is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Alberta; his son, Dan; his grandson, Nicholas; and his siblings, John and Barbara.