Eileen Burtle

Eileen Burtle passed away peacefully in Clive, Iowa on Thursday, July 30, 2026 after a long life. She was born in Springfield, IL on August 22, 1940 to Harry J. Burtle and Mary (Ryan) Burtle where she grew up.

She was a member of Springfield Dominican Sisters Community for 14 years and a member of Ichthus Dominican Community. She lived in Chicago, IL for seven years, Peoria, IL for three years and two years in Kenosha, WI.

After she moved to Iowa, she served as Pastoral Minister at Holy Trinity parish in Des Moines during the 1970’s and was a Psychotherapist at Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center until her retirement. Eileen obtained her Master’s degree in Human Development followed by a fellowship at Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. She was the first female in Iowa to become a fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

She married Bernie Gottner in 1994 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines and loved to cook, entertain and travel. She enjoyed visiting the sick, elderly and home bound.

Eileen is survived by 10 nieces and nephews: C.Ann Frank Dietrich, Steve Frank, Mary Burtle Gasey, Janet Frank Dondanville, Sam Burtle, Mark Burtle, John Frank, Judy Burtle Gerard, Ernie Burtle and Mary Frank Riordan; and her sister-in-law, Bettie Burtle.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bernie Gottner; sisters, Mary Elizabeth Hartung and Eleanor Frank; brother, Bob Burtle; and brother-in-law, Fred Frank.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2926 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa with visitation one hour prior. For those guests unable to attend in person they are invited to watch via live stream which will be available below on the day of the service. Private family burial service will take place in Glenarm, Il at a later date.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Janet and Dave Bunkers for their dedication and care these past seven years.

We are also deeply grateful to the teams from Right at Home for her home care and UnityPoint Hospice for their extraordinary support and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to Women Helping Women at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center, 8553 Urbandale Ave., Urbandale, IA 50322 or Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community, DMIEC, P.O. Box 12022 Des Moines, Iowa 50312.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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