Deb Burkart

Deb Burkart, 61, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on July 27, 2022, after putting up a courageous fight against cancer. She was in the presence of family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 at St. Joseph Church Key West with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 1st, 2022 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 3:45 p.m.

Deb was born September 7, 1960 to the proud parents, Melvin and Rita Schuster of Dubuque. She went to school at St. Columbkille and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School. Shortly after graduating, she married and started a family, welcoming four beautiful children. In 2003, she was married to Dave Burkart, who would become the love of her life. After adding Dave’s 4 children, bringing the total number of kids in the family to 8.

Deb was the epitome of a hardworking, self-made woman. She valued family, friends, and exploring the world. You could always find Deb having dinner with friends, organizing a family gathering, or planning her next vacation. She was a huge Chicago Cubs fan and tugged her family along for endless trips to Chicago to see the Cubs play, always wearing her Cubs floppy hat. Deb would jump at the opportunity to go to a musical or play to get some “culture”. She showed her family the importance of working hard and taking every opportunity to travel the world. She loved creating experiences and making memories with her family and friends.

Deb loved deeply and fiercely; her love was something you could feel the moment you walked into the room. Family was the utmost priority in her life.

Deb was survived by her husband Dave; her children Sarah (Matthew) Schultes of Cedar Falls, Jason (Rachel) Burkart, Josh (Tiffany Russel) Burkart, and Jake (Sam Ondrashek) Burkart of Dubuque; her bonus children Jeremy Burkart of Dubuque, Chad Burkart of Dubuque, Linsay (Frederick) Nsengimana of Marion, and Stephanie (Jordan) Duve of Peosta; grandchildren Will and Emily Schultes; Ember, Kolvin, and Jaylin Burkart; Joslyn, Cecelia, and Lydia Burkart; Annalise Burkart; Kinnick, Corbin, and Harper Burkart; Bruce and Brice Nsengimana; and Owen, Evan, and Delanie Duve; siblings Dan (Tamara) Schuster, Ann (Tony) Wolf, and Steve (Ann) Schuster.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

To say that Deb was greatly loved in this life would be the understatement of the century. There are not words to explain the connection between her and her family. It was beautiful.

In lieu of flowers, a Deb Burkart Memorial Fund has been established.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.