Eugene L. Burns

Eugene L. “Gene” Burns, age 90 of Grafton, ND passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2019 at his home in Grafton surrounded by his family.

Eugene Lorne Burns was born January 18, 1929 in Grafton, ND the son of the late John and Blanche (Gornowicz) Burns. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1949. He attended Valley City State College for one semester where he played football. Gene enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1947. From January 1951 to December of 1952 he was placed on active duty. A portion of this time was spent overseas in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict. His service to his country became his career. In 1953 he began his full-time employment with the North Dakota National Guard at the Grafton Armory. Gene was united in marriage to Suzanne LaBerge on September 10, 1957 at St. John’s Catholic Church of Grafton, ND. The couple made their home in Grafton where they raised six children. He retired from the National Guard in 1986 and later worked part-time for the City of Grafton Utilities Department.

He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the Grafton American Legion and Grafton VFW. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, gardening and playing cards. He especially enjoyed following every sporting event in which his children and grandchildren participated.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed. Those thankful for having shared his life include his wife, Suzanne, Grafton, ND; children: Barb (Ernie) Dusek, Grafton, ND; Chris (Janet) Burns, Grand Forks, ND; Brian (Retha) Burns, Plymouth, MN; Brad (Amy) Burns, Larimore, ND; Nancy (Kirk) Misialek, East Grand Forks, MN; Shari (Shane) Flanders, Grafton, ND; his grandchildren: Miranda & Julia Dusek, Erin & Allison Burns; Andrew (Cristeta) & Casey Burns; Thomas, Travis (Jordan), Tanner & Hope Kraay; Bode Gram & Baron Burns; Luke & Ty Misialek and Brynn Flanders. He was also survived by his brother John (Joyce) Burns, Kelso, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and three sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 5:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Grafton American Legion Post.