In loving memory of

Louis "Mr. Lou" Daniel Burkett
December 10, 1926 - August 29, 2019

Louis Daniel "Mr. Lou" Burkett, 92, of West Burlington, died Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born December 10, 1926 in Morland, Kentucky, a "southern boy" he was the son of Ashby and Virginia (Smith) Burkett. He married the love of his life Wanda Nichols on February 26, 1951 in Gary, Indiana.
Lou was a truck driver for over 30 years working for Arledge and Truck Transport. He was a 49 year member of the Burlington Moose Lodge #579 and the Teamsters.
He served in WWII in the Army as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne.
He is survived by his wife Wanda Burkett of West Burlington; four children, Roxanne (Jerry) Argyros of Eldora, Iowa, Cindy (Steve) Boothe of West Burlington, Mike Burkett of Sunrise Beach, Missouri and Brenda (Keith) Rodgers of Lee's Summit, Missouri; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one beloved grandson Tanner Boothe, two brothers and two sisters.
The funeral service for Mr. Lou will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7th at Lunning Chapel. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from noon until 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 6th at Lunning Chapel. The family will be present to receive friends from 4 until 7:00 p.m. Moose rites will be conducted at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the children's hospital and the Des Moines County Humane Society.

Tributes

Nancy Montrone wrote on Sep 13, 2019:

"Wanda and family, we are sorry for your loss. Ralph and I enjoyed many dances at the Moose under Lou's leadership. It would seem only normal if we were to see him there today: he was integral to the Moose. Nancy and Ralph Montrone"

Mary Jo Schlatter wrote on Sep 6, 2019:

"We had a little band called Silver Streak and we looking for places to play. We went to thd Moose and Lou came to thd door and talked to us. He took a chance on us and some 30 plus years later we are still playing there. He was a great man. He always had a joke for me when we were playing there. We had so many good times with Lou and Wanda. It really will not be the same without him but I am sure he will be watching us up above, and I know that when I see him again he will have another joke to tell us. "

keith rodgers wrote on Sep 3, 2019:

"I moved into Burlington and across the street from Lou and his family when I was 10 years old. I can't believe it but, that was 51 years ago. Wasn't long after I fell in love with his daughter Brenda and we were married at 19. In those early years I saw a man who worked so very hard to provide for his family. He would leave home very early in the morning and get home maybe 8 or 9 p.m. at night. He worked hard all week to take his beautiful wife Wanda out on Saturday night for dinner and meet up with friends. He raised 4 great children and used to take them to the Ozarks every year for their summer vacation. He taught all of them how to swim and ski. He loved cool cars and I was always anxious to see what car he was going to bring him next. He taught his children to never put off doing something until tomorrow if it could be done today. He was a great story teller and never one to shy away from a conversation with a stranger. He was "giving" person, who through his work at the Moose lodge helped raise many thousands of dollars for the children who benefited from it. I never saw him to be afraid of anything, must explain why he enlisted in the army when he was 17 to serve his country in WWII. Lou was always good to me and entrusted me to love and take care of Brenda. For that, I will always be grateful. I will miss Lou but, will never forget the man who accomplished so much and left a lasting legacy of a great family man, husband, patriot, leader and friend to all. "

Tammie Snyder wrote on Sep 1, 2019:

"Hugs and prayers for lou's family."

Andy Boley wrote on Sep 1, 2019:

"I got to know Lou and his wife Wanda from my time living in Burlington back when I called bingo at the Moose club in Burlington. Lou was always the life of the party especially when he was at the Moose Club. Remember him saying before I had made the move to California back in 2005 he stated he would give it 6 months tops before I would move back. Lol. He will be greatly missed. Wanda just so you know I havent forgotten about you all back in Iowa including your dear friend Bonnie Bell. R.I.P. Mr. Lou. "

randy dale johnson wrote on Sep 1, 2019:

"What a guy < If i saw Lou < Their would be John Haigh two peas in a pot, Remmber back in the 70 seventies when i was a yound man out of contro[ and these two guys trying to talk sense into me, Look what happened, The LOVE OF MY LIFE Melinda , I was a truck driver right out of high school hauling ass delivering live catfish up down the river from Baton Rouge LA. to Duthle Mn,. got my cb handle catfish by doing that job. Lou would stop at fish market in Niota in his mack truck know as the bulldog doing two trips to Quincy Il. from Burlington Ia., I would leave ahead of Lou and go to Quincy in Johns kw semi and get empty boxes, I would meet LOU on my way back in his puppy dog truck with that BIG SMILE, SHACKING HIS FINGER AT ME,. TRying to get me slow down., Lou was a nice guy with a beautiful wife WANDA i saw a lot with John and Marie Haigh,. THey ran around alot togther with each other ,. at a time in my life a thought they were brothers,. and in way they where,. Now both in heaven. loving angels with wings to glid over all of us., I could go on and on but i,ll sign off as catfish by saying see u guys in heaven don,tshut the gates yet,. I.M on my way hammer down no slowing down shaking my finger at u two angels,. be missed but never for gotten by by many I many FREINDS ., RANDY JONSON., PLus my heart goes out to the family., LOTS OF HUGS ., Most of all the stories. p. s. dont forget all the good times and pic, "

BHS Class of 1976 wrote on Aug 31, 2019:

"Brenda...we are so sorry on the loss of your father. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family."

BHS Class of 1976 wrote on Aug 31, 2019:

"Brenda...we are so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family."

Jennifer Stafford wrote on Aug 31, 2019:

"You will be missed dearly Mr. Lou , I still remember you throwing my bicycle in the back of your truck and taking me home! "

Jennifer Stafford wrote on Aug 31, 2019:

"You will be missed dearly Mr. Lou , I still remember you throwing my bike in the back of your truck and giving me a ride home! "