Thomasine A. Burleson

Thomasine A. Burleson, 87, of Wakarusa, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at The Waters of Wakarusa Skilled Nursing Facility. She was born in Elkhart on October 16, 1935, to the late Patsy and Amelia Iavagnilio.

Thomasine is survived by her children, Dennis M. Burleson of South Bend, Steven E. Burleson of Elkhart, and Patrick A. (Mary) Burleson of Etna Green; 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and special aunt, Mary Checchio. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Duane A. Burleson; parents; and sister, Mary Wyman.

In accordance with Thomasine’s wishes, cremation was chosen. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. officiated by Father Craig Borchard of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with a visitation to follow from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  A private family graveside service will take place at a later date where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Duane, at St. Vincent’s Catholic Cemetery.

Thomasine mostly kept to herself but expressed a strong Italian personality among her family members. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church where she married Duane A. Burleson on October 20, 1955. Thomasine worked for 25 years as a purchasing agent for Sears before retiring in 1997. For most of her life, she was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, and working in the yard.

Thomasine loved her family, and her three boys were her whole world. She felt blessed to have met and loved on many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout her life. Thomasine enjoyed hosting immaculate Christmas and Thanksgiving meals with her husband for the entire family. She was best known for her secret Italian beef family recipe that had been passed down in her family for many years. Some of her other famous dishes during the holiday’s included spaghetti, macaroni and sauce, Christmas cookies, cakes, and a variety of pies. Thomasine will be greatly missed by her loving family.     

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomasine A. Burleson, please visit our floral store.