Elaine Bland Baxter of Burlington, who helped blaze a trail for women in Iowa state politics, died March 26, following a brief illness, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. Elaine was born on January 16, 1933 in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of Clarence and Margaret Bland. On October 2, 1954 she married Harry Youngs Baxter of Burlington in Oak Park, IL. Harry preceded her in death in 2013, following 58 years of marriage. Elaine received a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Illinois in 1954 and an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa in 1978. She also received graduate training at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
Following graduation from the University of Illinois, Elaine and Harry resided in San Francisco, CA for three years and then moved to Burlington. Under the guidance of her mother-in-law Kate, Elaine embraced Burlington, its history and its families. Kate and Ray Baxter encouraged Elaine’s involvement with the local Democratic party. This led to many years of volunteer work and ultimately public office. In 1973, Elaine became the first woman elected to the Burlington City Council, serving 2 terms. During this time, she initiated the effort to save and restore the Port of Burlington building and, in 1976, served as Chairperson of Burlington Steamboat Days.
After completing graduate school, she was appointed as a Congressional Liaison at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC. In 1980, she returned to Burlington and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for the 60th District (1983-‘86.) She subsequently was elected as Iowa’s Secretary of State, serving 2 terms (1986-‘94).
Her statewide appointments included the Iowa Humanities Board, Iowa State Lottery Board, Mississippi River Parkway Commission Board, Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance and Terrace Hill Society Foundation Board.
Elaine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2006 and quickly became an advocate for improving the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. For the remainder of her life, she continued to be involved in civic and political activities. In 2016, she was named Outstanding Elected Official by the Iowa Democratic Party. Her other interests included historic preservation and gardening and she took great pleasure in renovating her North Hill home and garden and opening them for others’ enjoyment.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Arlene. She is survived by her 3 children– Katherine (Kate) Anderson (Art) of Dallas, TX, Harry of Miami Beach, FL and John of New York, NY, her grandchildren, John and Will Anderson of Dallas and two nieces; Karen Varnhagen of San Francisco, CA and Sarah Brown of Coeur d’Alene, ID.
The family wishes to thank Nola DeBerg and her team for their dedicated caregiving over the past several years, which gave Elaine the blessing of continuing to reside at her home.
A memorial service will be held in the summer, followed by a reception at the family home.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory and a burial will take place at Aspen Grove at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the Des Moines County Historical Society, 501 N. 4th St., Burlington, 52601 or Great River Parkinson’s Disease Support Group c/o Great River Health Fitness Center, 1401 Agency Rd., West Burlington, 52655.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Elaine’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Paul D. Burgus, 71, of West Burlington, died Friday, March 26, 2021 at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born July 5, 1949 in Burlington, Iowa he was the son of Paul R. Burgus and Margaret Crago Burgus. He married Sheila Seehaver on December 27, 1975.
Paul was a graduate of Roosevelt Military Academy. He served proudly in the Marine Corps.
He worked at J. I. Case for 30 years until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Paul loved being outdoors, whether working in his yard, working at the farm or out hunting and fishing. He was a craftsman and loved making things from projects in the barn to remodeling his home. He was a family man and loved being a dad and grandpa. Paul was the biggest cheerleader and participated and attended all of his girl’s activities, he was very active in their lives and loved taking vacations to visit and spend time with them.
He is survived by his wife Sheila Burgus of West Burlington; two daughters, Amy (Kyle Bryson) Burgus of Austin, Texas and Katie Burgus of Suffolk, Virginia; two granddaughters Abby and Emily; his mother Margaret “Maggie” Burgus of Burlington; two sisters Judy Leu of Round Rock, Texas and Liz Snow of Inkon, Idaho and one brother Mark (Lisa) Burgus of Stronghurst, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his father and one grandson Adam.
The funeral service for Mr. Burgus will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1st at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Ryan Cosgrove will officiate. The Hamilton Walters Marine Corps League will provide military rites. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 31st at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Joseph “Everett” Clover, 81, of Yarmouth, went home to be with the Lord at 11:31 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at the Sperry United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation for Everett will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Mediapolis. Memorials may be directed to the Sperry United Methodist Church or Great River Hospice in memory of Everett. Online condolences may be sent to family at sandhfuneralservice.com.
Joseph Everett Clover was born June 1, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa to Joseph “Joe” and Myrle (Lazear) Clover of Sperry, Iowa. Everett graduated from Sperry High School in 1957. During high school, Everett played basketball, was a baseball catcher, and won several awards for his typing skills. During summers he worked for farmers and worked for the construction company, Seither and Cherry for a few years. Everett helped to blacktop Sperry Road as well as many other projects. After graduation, Everett attended Burlington Junior College where he played on the Blackhawk basketball team and worked for IRC (TRW) for 19 years and then at Champion Spark Plug in Burlington for 32 years. During his working years, he played fast pitch softball in a local league and in many tournaments. Everett also played in a YMCA basketball league. Everett enjoyed playing on company golf team. Everett was married to Judith (Locke) on August 10, 1958. Everett and Judy celebrated 61 years together. Everett was a member of the Sperry United Methodist Church, Mediapolis and Sperry Masons and Odd Fellows and was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, ice fishing, mushroom hunting and coon hunting, but most of all, her dearly loved to spend time with his family.
One of the most important things in life, Everett’s true passion was his work in the church youth groups. Everett was a youth group leader for many years and went on several mission trips with them. He had an impact on many young people’s lives. Everett has a passion for teaching the Bible to young people and making it important in their lives. Many young people were influenced by his teachings.
Everett will be deeply missed by his wife, Judy Clover of Yarmouth; two sons, Tim (Rhonda) Clover of Mediapolis and Dan (Janine) Clover of Sperry; one brother, Jim (Carol) Clover of Ames, one sister, Irene Kinney of West Burlington; seven grandchildren, Tyler (Michaela) Clover of Alpha, Illinois, Rylee Johnson of Mediapolis, Matt (Britanie) Clover, Kylee (Bob) Virgin of Mediapolis, Katie Clover, Raegan (Kyle) Schulte of Sperry and Haley Clover of Cedar Rapids. Raegan and Haley were raised by the Clovers after the death of their mother. Three step grandchildren, Nick Scott, Amber Scott, and Dalton Scott. Fourteen great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Debbie (Chuck) Ealey of Wapello and several nieces and nephews
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Lori and one brother, Floren Clover.
Rachelle Kay Pilgram-Boughton, 54, of Sperry, went peacefully to be with the Lord in her home, surrounded by her family at 3:23 AM Saturday, March 27, 2021 after a 2 1/2 year battle against cancer.
Born February 6, 1967, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Fredrick “Norman” and Marilyn Kay Brown-Pilgram. On May 11, 1999, she married Leonard Leon Boughton in Burlington.
Rachelle graduated from Burlington High School in 1985.
She worked as a bookkeeper for Boughton’s Tree Service for 21 years.
Even in the midst of her battle against cancer she continued to keep her faith in God. Rachelle enjoyed riding her Harley-Davidson trike, spending time with her family, watching the Game Show Network and rooting for the Cubs. She was a member of District 18 ABATE of Iowa. With her loveable and positive attitude, she left an everlasting impact on everyone that crossed her path.
Survivors include her father, Norman Pilgram; husband, Leonard Leon Boughton of Sperry; daughters, Brittany Boughton-Baker, her husband Korey Baker, and Brooklyn Boughton of Sperry; sister, Rhonda Pilgram-Brown of Burlington; and nieces, Brandy and Heidi Brown.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
There will be no visitation or services.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rachelle’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
