A service celebrating the life of Clarion B. Burns will be held at 2
p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at the Wilmot Presbyterian Church
in Wilmot, SD. Pastor Devern Schween and Father McMullen will be
officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be laid to rest at a
later date next to his wife, Rita at the Wilmot Cemetery. Schriver?s
Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, Aberdeen will be in charge of
arrangements.
Clarion passed away on January 6, 2011 in Aberdeen SD, at the
Angelhaus Basic Care Facility.
Clarion B. Burns was born August 4, 1911 in Waubay South Dakota. He
was the fourth child of William Burns and Mary (Holscher).
He
graduated from Waubay High School in 1929. After graduating he worked
at various farms and grocery stores from 1929 until 1942. In 1942, he
joined the US Navy and worked as an X-ray technician aboard the SS
Portland. He served at sea for 18 months.
He met his wife, Rita Mae Mullen, a Navy nurse, and they married
November 11, 1946. At that time they settled in Wilmot, SD and
established the Burns Fairway Grocery Store. They resided in Wilmot
for 51 years.
Clarion was a member of the Wilmot Presbyterian Church and was a
Church Elder. He served on several community organizations including,
but not limited to, 65 years as a member of the Drake Sorbel American
Legion Post 64, the Wilmot Community Club and 17 years on the Wilmot
School Board. Clarion and Rita were married for almost 60 years and
enjoyed playing bridge, walking, reading and traveling to Mesa, AZ as
snowbirds. In 1997, they moved to Aberdeen, SD. During that time, he
became a member of the Aberdeen Moose Lodge and the Aberdeen Senior
Center, where they continued to make new friends.
Clarion was preceded in death by his wife, Rita in 2005, his parents,
two sisters, one brother, one brother-in-law and granddaughter, Laurie
Schulz.
Grateful for having been a part of, and shared in Clarion's life are
his sons Jon Burns (Lorry) Wayzata, MN, and Bruce (Melanie)
Albuquerque, NM, and daughters Marsha Schulz (John) of Lakespur, CO,
Elaine Nold (Rod) Aberdeen SD, ten grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
In the final years of his life Clarion resided at the Angelhaus Basic
Care Facility. The family would like to express their gratitude and
appreciation for the outstanding love and care Clarion received. He
truly lived among the Angels here on earth.
He left a Legacy Of Love and will always be remembered for his gentle
spirit and generosity with a kind word. Faith, family and friends were
what truly mattered to Clarion. Rejoice and praise God for the
longevity of a life well lived.
