Shirley R. Burger, 90

December 02, 2023

Upon God’s calling, Shirley R. Burger, 90, peacefully exchanged time for eternity on December 2, 2023, at Oak Leaf Manor South on Hospice Care. Shirley was born in Lancaster, PA, and was the daughter of the late Frank and Florence (Bitner) Rieker. Shirley’s husband of 57 years, John P. Burger, preceded her in death on January 3, 2011.

A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, she left Lancaster to discern a vocation as a Sister of the Holy Cross. After a year at the convent, she discerned that God was calling her to marriage. Upon returning to Lancaster, she worked at Watt and Shand for a time and after her marriage to John she was a substitute teacher at St. Anthony’s School for a time and later worked at the Lancaster Newspaper. Most of her working career was spent at Lancaster General Hospital in housekeeping. The work she most enjoyed was being a mother and caring for her family. Shirley was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Church in Lancaster and supported the Women’s Club and the Legion of Mary. Spending time and meals with family and praying at home and at church was most important to her.

Surviving Shirley are her son Rev. Philip Burger, daughter Teresa, wife of Loyall Mumby son John, husband of Jennifer Vanderhorst; five grandchildren, Yvonne Dehoff (Garth), Jesse Burger (Nicola), Andrew Burger, Rebecca Gehrig (Tommy), Ester Switzer (Luke), eight great-grandchildren, Dagney, Ender, Zane, Zadok, Emett, Lucy, Brayden, and Kaitlyn, and two more on the way. Shirley’s sister-in-law Shirley Rieker survives and Shirley was preceded in death by her siblings, Victoria, Mary, Elizabeth, Frank, Josephine, Charles, Florence, Patricia, and George.

Shirley’s family is most grateful to the team at Lancaster General Hospital (Penn Medicine), Tel Hai Rehabilitation Community, Ascend Hospice and Oak Leaf Manor South for the good care given to her in these several months of her life in this world.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA with her son Rev. Philip G. Burger as Celebrant. Interment will take place in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. Please omit flowers. The family asks that memorials be given to St. Joseph Church at 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA 17602, Ascend Hospice at 2901 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, or Oak Leaf Manor South at 2120 Wabank Rd., Millersville, PA 17551. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit: