Obituary of Ivan L Burmeister

Ivan L. Burmeister, 90, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. Ivan was born December 13, 1925, in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, the son of Max and Wilhelmina (Dagendorfer) Burmeister. He graduated from Louisville High School in Nebraska with the class of 1943. He enlisted in the United States Navy serving aboard the USS Craven during WWII. During his enlistment he married his high school sweetheart, Dortha “Fern” Shelton on February 5, 1945 in Louisville. After four years of service he earned his Civil Engineering degree from the University of Nebraska. In 1965 he earned a Master’s degree in Hydraulics at the University of Iowa, and enjoyed a fulfilling career in Water Resources with the U.S. Geological Survey. His work began in Lincoln, moved to Raleigh, NC on special assignment and then to Iowa City in 1959. He retired in 1985. His family includes his wife, Fern; two daughters and their husbands, Linda & John Howar and Carol & Bob Wise; seven grandchildren, Susan Zabaronick (Bill), Sara Siebold (Mark), Melissa Howar, Amanda Howar, Emily Bildstein, David Bildstein and Mike Bildstein; and four great-grandchildren, Sam, Ian, Sophie and Sean. Ivan and Fern hosted an AFS student, Paivikki Jantunen from Joensuu Finland, and became her USA mom & dad. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Iola Bigelow; and a brother, Marvin Burmeister. Ivan was a member of First United Methodist Church, Optimist Club of Iowa City, University of Iowa Alumni Association, Quarterback Club, Iowa City Bowling Hall of Fame, USS Craven Reunions, and several professional engineering organizations. Favorite activities included dancing with Fern, hunting with Benny, the family beagle, photography, woodworking, coaching Babe Ruth baseball, fishing, bowling, golfing, and HAWKEYE SPORTS! In later years, Ivan and Fern travelled extensively in the U.S. and abroad, as well as taking numerous cruises, which included a Christmas cruise with the entire family in 2001. Memorial donations can be made in Ivan’s memory to the Appalachian Service Project c/o First United Methodist Church, Oaknoll Foundation or Optimist Club of Iowa City.