Ragna Burns, age 100, of East Bethel died December 7, 2013 at home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, DECEMBER 27th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in East Bethel with Pastor Dan Nordin officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church and also from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Thursday, DECEMBER 26th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel. Memorials are preferred to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of East Bethel.
Ragna Bertine Burns was born February 16, 1913 in Gatzke, Minnesota to Erik and Bertha (Haugen) Aune. One of seven children, she grew up on a large farm with horses and cross-country skied to attend the local primary school. She moved to Southeast Minneapolis and attended Marshall High School. While in high school, she worked as a live-in cook, initially with a family and later with a sorority located near the University of Minnesota. On September 30, 1939 she married Raymond Burns at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They had four children that were born between the years 1940 and 1956. She and her husband, who was a graduate of Minneapolis Business School, first owned and operated a grocery store near the University during the 1940’s, and later in the 1950’s and early 1960s they owned a large rooming house for women students which she managed. Her husband Raymond worked at Honeywell. In 1956, they bought a farm in East Bethel, MN, and moved to the farm in 1970, when Raymond was near retirement age. They lived at the farm for the remainder of their lives, and Ragna became an avid vegetable gardener, sharing her harvest with friends and family.
Ragna Burns passed away December 7, 2013 at home at the age of 100 years, 9 months and 21 days. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, in 1982, and by two sisters who died during childhood and three adult brothers.
She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Reid and Jean Wald; two sons, Richard and Randell; one sister, Borghild Nilson; five grandchildren, Heidi, Beth, Kira, Soren and Andrew; one great-granddaughter, Lydia; and several nieces and nephews.
Angie says
I am so blessed to have cared for Ragna! I will miss her dearly. She will always have a special spot in my heart. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Carol Vick says
Ragna always seemed so happy when we would come. We never left without some things from her wonderful garden. She was a good lady to be around. Carol Vick
Exell says
She was my great grandmother I never saw her mutch but I miss her she will always be remembered god bless her
Brenda Mew (Aune) says
My fondest memories of family gatherings include those at Aunt Ragna’s farm. She had such a knack for being a welcoming hostess. I loved her fresh green beans and peas and had her gourds on my fall table many years. I loved her and treasure those times.