Mae Burger Obituary

Mae C. Burger, 88, of Drums died Monday evening at Mountain City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with her daughter, Diane, by her side.

Born in Drums on May 22, 1933, she was the daughter of William T. and Mildred (Swank) Roth.

Mae was a very active woman, always on the go. If she was not working in her profession as a nursing administrator, she was either actively helping her husband at their family farm or raising their four children. Mae spoke often of her children, always expressing how proud she was of them. Mae's love of family was evident by the time she shared with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mae was a graduate of Hazleton High School. After high school, she attended the Hazleton State Hospital School of Nursing. She continued her education at Elizabethtown College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in nursing administration.

Mae went on to work in the emergency room at Berwick hospital for 25 years as the director of nursing. She continued her nursing career as the nursing home administrator for Berwick Retirement Village. As a well-respected administrator, she assisted in the development and administration of Mountain City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mae also owned and operated eight personal care homes in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Mae was honored for her hard work and dedication to her profession by receiving the 2004 Pennsylvania Businesswoman of the Year award. She was a member of the 2004 Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal Honor Roll and was invited to the inaugural celebration of the 43rd president of the United States, George Walker Bush.

In Mae's down time, she enjoyed fishing with her husband on their boat in New Jersey. She enjoyed gardening, flowers and her beloved Miss Kitty.

Preceding Mae in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband of 39 years, Leonard J. Burger Sr.; brothers, Byron, Harold and Wilson Roth; sister, Blanche Brior; and an infant son.

She is survived by daughters, Cindy Beck and Diane Scally; sons, Leonard J. Burger Jr. and his wife, JoAnn, and Glen Burger and his wife, Jane; grandchildren, Jolene, Lenny III, Timmy, William, Kathleen, Alex and Emily; and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, 530 W. Butler Drive, Drums. The Rev. JoAnn Young will preside over the funeral service.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until the start of the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran and United Church of Christ Cemetery, St. Johns.

Donations to the Hazleton Animal Shelter in memory of Mae would be graciously appreciated: P.O. Box 481, Hazleton, PA 18201.

Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, Drums, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolence messages may be entered in the family's memorial guestbook on the funeral home website at www.khfuneralhomes.com.