Carole Buerklin Obituary Carole Elaine Buerklin, 72, of Hamilton, Illinois left this world 14th of December 2013 in Keokuk. She was winning early in a fight against cancer when pneumonia and complications took her life. Carole was born New Year's Eve 1940 in Keokuk to Eston Williams and Elaine Clark Williams. Her parents managed throught the depression and war years and raised a lighthearted, carefree daughter. She spent many happy years with dear cousins and schoolmates and graduated from Keokuk High in 1959. Her continuing studies resulted in Education and Library Science degrees from the University of Iowa. Miss Carole Williams married Gene F. Buerklin (1963) in Keokuk. They enjoyed boating on the Mississippi and roadtrips and began their married life in Ft. Madison. Carole taught in Ft. Madison Schools before beginning her long tenure as high school librarian at Central Lee in 1966. She was a resource for all students and an especially supportive presence in the lives of less fortunate kids. Central's scholasic bowl teams were a particular source of professional pride. In 1969 the Buerklins moved to an acreage west of Donnellson, Iowa with their young son and lived as a family until Gene's untimely death in 1975. Carole moved to Keokuk where her parents and father-in-law, Carl Buerklin, helped raise her boy. She continued her career at Central Lee, retiring in 2001. Carole moved to Hamilton, enjoyed a comfortable retirement, and had many good years with family, friends and pets. Carole Buerklin was a long time active member of Keokuk First Baptist Church. She is survived by her only son James Buerklin and his wife Kimberly; granddaughters, Grace-Maree and Sujata Buerklin and sister-in-law, JoAnn Swanson. Carole has several close cousins and numerous friends among co-workers, church family and neighbors who will remember her generosity and kindness. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, mother-in-law (Maree Buerklin), father-in-law, aunts and uncles. A celebration of her life will be at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau with Rev. Dale Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will after 3:00 PM, Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center with family meeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church dedicated Stained Glass Preservation. Visitation DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center/Blondeau 917 Blondeau Street Keokuk, Iowa 52632 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Service DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center/Blondeau 917 Blondeau Street Keokuk, Iowa 52632 1:00 PM