Gwenith “Marguerite” Burk, 82, of Dubuque, IA passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm, Friday, July 5, at Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, July 6, at St Columbkille’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral service can be viewed at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Marguerite Burk was born on February 8, 1942 to Francis W. and Gwenith (Grant) Blake in Kansas City, Kansas. Marguerite graduated from Bishop Ward High School where she actively participated in theater, dance, and track and was once said to be “the fastest girl in Kansas City”. After high school she was tasked with the challenge of helping to wrangle her four nephews in California, a time she reflected on fondly…mostly.  Marguerite married Larry Burk on December 22, 1964. She supported him through his MBA studies by working at a travel agency and together they moved all over the country for Larry’s career, finally settling in Dubuque, IA where together they raised four children.

As her kids got older, Marguerite invested in her love of antiques, and enjoyed attending auctions to find pieces, refinishing and reselling her finds.  She was also an avid card player and enjoyed her decades-long bridge club, where she developed lifelong friendships, which she cherished.

Marguerite’s quiet strength and love for her family will always be remembered. She was most proud of her title of mother and grandmother. She always went above and beyond for her kids, volunteering to run activities, chaperone field trips and handmade chocolate treats for Valentine’s Day.  She loved spending time with her family, playing competitive games of Acquire, beating her grandkids in Euchre, showing off her dance moves, and an occasional trip to the casino.

Marguerite was preceded in death by her husband Larry, parents Francis and Gwenith Blake, and two brothers, Bud and Jim Blake, and brother-in-law John Colteaux.

Left to remember Marguerite are her children: Jason (Nancy) Burk, Goodland, KS, Genevieve (Erik) Sogge, San Jose, CA, Ryan (Nellie) Burk, Peosta, IA and Nathan (Jessica) Burk, Los Angeles, CA; her 9 grandchildren, Ethan, Simon, Henry and Luke Burk, Olin and Thomas Sogge and Caden, Conner and Allie Burk; her sister Genevieve Colteaux of California, sisters-in-laws Lee Blake and Peg Blake, and many nieces and nephews.