Suzanne M Burns

Suzanne M. Burns, age 87 of Grafton, ND passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton.

Suzanne Marie Lucille LaBerge was born December 19, 1934, in Grafton, ND to Daniel and Emelia (Lessard) LaBerge.   Suzanne graduated from Grafton High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to Eugene Burns on September 10, 1957, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton.  The couple made their home in Grafton and raised six children.  She was a legal assistant for local attorneys and a Walsh County abstractor until retirement.  She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church.

Suzanne had a special love for children, both hers and others.  She always ensured their needs came first.  She enjoyed baking and teaching her grandkids to bake, especially Christmas cut-outs.

She enjoyed 25 summers with her large extended family at the multicolored A-frame on Maple Lake.  She especially enjoyed late night boat rides.

Before she could even read, she loved books.  As a parent, she recognized the value of reading to her children. She loved books until her last days; they gave her peace and comfort.  Her motto was “life is too short to read a bad book.”  She also enjoyed cards and was an accomplished Bridge player.  She enjoyed playing Bingo with her sister and sisters-in-law.

Suzanne had many fond memories of the Grafton Parade Band; a highlight was marching in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA.

Suzanne will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.  She is survived by her children:  Barb (Ernie) Dusek, Grafton, ND; Chris (Janet) Burns, Grand Forks, ND; Brian (Retha) Burns, Big Lake, MN; Brad (Amy) Burns, Larimore, ND; Nancy (Kirk) Misialek, East Grand Forks, MN; Shari (Shane) Flanders, Grafton, ND. She is survived by her grandchildren:  Miranda & Julia Dusek; Erin & Allison Burns; Andrew (Cristeta Boarini) & Casey Burns; Thomas, Travis (Jordan), Tanner & Hope Kraay; Bode Gram & Baron Burns; Ty Misialek; and Brynn Flanders and great grandchildren Korra Boarini Burns & Lily Kraay.  She is also survived by sister Frances Ensminger; brothers Richard LaBerge, Thomas LaBerge, and Donald LaBerge; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Daniel & Emelia, husband Eugene, grandson Luke Misialek, great grandson Landon Kraay, sister Georgette LaHaise, and brother, Wallace LaBerge.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday , August 29, 2022 at 10:30 A.M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Grafton, ND.  Services will be livestreamed via Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page.