Richard “Dick” M. Burns age 67 of Westbrook passed away unexpectedly on his 67th birthday, Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Windom Area Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday AT THE CHURCH and will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial is in the Westbrook Cemetery.
Richard “Dick” M. Burns was born January 22, 1949 in Windom, Minnesota to Raymond and Marilyn (Kuehl) Burns. He was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee. He attended school in Heron Lake and graduated from Heron Lake High School in 1967. In April 1969 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, El Paso, Texas, and in Germany before receiving his honorable discharge. Following his service, Dick resided in Heron Lake. On November 30, 1974, Dick was united in marriage to Nancy Busswitz at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Dick worked for Scheppman Construction, Stake Construction, and Geldner Construction before becoming self-employed with Burns Trucking & Backhoe Service. Dick was a member of the Westbrook VFW and American Legion, Red Rock Sportsmen’s Club, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed listening to Oldies music, golfing, hunting, fishing, baseball, NASCAR, and being a part of the Westbrook Cruisers car club. His family and friends were the most important part of his life. Dick’s generous and loving spirit will continue to live on and touch many lives through his final act of eye, bone, and tissue donation.
Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy of Westbrook; son Shannen Burns (Tanya Murphy) of Westbrook, son Nathan (Nicki) Burns of Sioux Falls, daughter Tina Burns of Windom; grandchildren: Mitchell Phelps of Becker, and Averi and Ana Burns of Sioux Falls; siblings: Colleen (Edward) Freking of Heron Lake, Brian (Marcia) Burns of Twain Harte, CA, LuAnn (Kevin) Hopkins of Superior, WI, Jean (Danny) Bryant of Anchorage, AK, Collette (Kevin) Leopold of Heron Lake, Betty (Lisa) Rechkemmer of Winfield, IL, Robert (Kathy) Burns of Hutchinson, Patricia (Beth) Johnson of Mounds View, Thomas Burns of Alexandria, Bruce (Teresa) Burns of Humboldt, IA, and Scott Burns of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law: Roger (Sharyn) Busswitz of Avoca, Gary (Mary Joan) Busswitz of Currie; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Gary.
So sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. Always enjoyed talking to him. Thoughts & prayers to his entire family during this difficult time.
Jeromy & Kristin Peterson
Sending prayers to you in this hard time.
We were very surprised…and very sorry to have learned about Dick’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Scott and Deb Mischke family.
Dick was a great friend and classmate. He will be sorely missed. May God bless and comfort his family and many friends. RIP
Nancy and family
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers to Nancy and family.
Dickey was a good man. I have always respected and liked Dickey. He and Nancy raised three great kids. He will be missed by lots of people. He will always be in our spirits.
Nancy & family and the Burns family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in your fond memories of Dick.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dick’s entire family! Mike and Joleen Cronin
Met Dick when fishing with the Westbrook guys. Lots of good times. Enjoyed his stories of when he was in the service. Shared stories of family & friends. Heard he just got back from ice fishing where he got a big pike. Sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Mike Jamieson Quinter Ks.
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear about Dick. My sympathies are with you and you’re family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families! May the awesome memories help you through!
Ed and Bardene Peter and family
My condolences to the whole family. Sad, and way too young. He was a good guy!
Dan Peterson (Mr. P)
Nancy, family and loved ones, our sincere sympathy is extended to you at this time. God be with you.
Thinking of the whole Burns family, with prayers for the loss of Dick.
Sorry for your loss. Nettie Tracy (Lanette Beek)
Our deepest sympathy……
Our deepest sympathy to you all!
So sorry to hear about Dick, you have our deepest condolences and are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Nancy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. Praying for all of you in this tough time. Dick was so well liked by many and I always remember his kind smile.
Our deepest sympathy to you Nancy and your family, and to the entire Burns family. A life taken away so young. Our prayers are with all of you.
So sorry to hear about Dick. Will miss seeing him at the VFW playing cards and enjoying life. Grief is the cost of love. All of our prayers go out to you and your wonderful family!
Steve and Dixie Severson
Nancy and family,
So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy . we are so sorry to hear of Dicks passing. our deepest sympathy to you and the families.Thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time..Linda and Steve Schmalz
Nancy and family, So sorry to hear about the sudden passing of Dick. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May all the wonderful memories you shared help you through this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy to the families of Dick. He will certainly be missed.
Nancy and family sorry to hear of this Dick was a good man and will be missed by all sending prayers
Danny & Ranae Sell
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Praying for all of you during this difficult time. He will be missed by many.
We were sadden to hear of Dicks passing. Sympathy to you and your family. Ron&Nancy
Nancy, and family, our sympathy to all, and God bless your memories of Dick. He was a great guy, and we know you will all miss him. I’ll bet he is fishing in heaven, right now. Cousin Carolyn, and Roger.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It is not easy when you lose someone so suddenly, having
just gone thur the same thing with my husband. But God does give the strength and courage to
get thur things. So take Care and Take time for yourself.
My deepest sympathy to the Burns family. Dick represented his family with pride and especially our great nation. He surely be missed and never forgotten.
Barb Schmidt Aasen
Nancy, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy & family,
We are so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Dick was a great person and family friend. Our thoughts and prayer are with you at this very difficult time.
Chad & Julie Horkey
Nancy and Family; Sorry to hear about Dicks passing. May he rest in peace, he will be missed. God Bless
Nate – I am very sorry to hear of about your Dad – I’m sure you have lots of wonderful memories of him – those will help you through the coming days. They will bring tears some days and also smiles.
Your friend,
Maureen Dowling
Nancy & Family…my heart hurts for you. I know the pain of loved ones leaving us too soon. Praying for your God to comfort and heal your hearts. ~ Pam Steffen <3
Nancy and family and Dick’s siblings and families you all have lost someone so special and heaven gained someone special ial too. May the most precious memories of Dick sustain and lift you up now and always. Prayers and sympathy.
Nancy so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing, we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers… Joe & Mary Jensen
Sending our deepest sympathy to the Burns family!! Hugs to you all !!
Nancy and Family, Sorry for your loss. He was a Good man. God Bless Mark Anderson
Sorry for your loss,he will be missed
Nancy and family so sorry for your loss of a loved one.
It is difficult to suffer the loss of a loved one and so suddenly!! Our thoughts and prayers goes out to all the Burns families who loved Dick!! Hope all the great memories of him take away some of your sadness of your loss, he will be missed by many but never forgotten!!
God Bless!
Prayers go to you Nancy and your Family. Also to the rest of the Burns family. Dick was a great guy! He will be missed.
Nancy, we were so shocked to hear about Dicks passing. He will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy and family – Thinking of you. I have been a friend of the Burns family for many years and got to know Dick better while I was working for Scheppman Construction. We both owned backhoes – he was always helpful and fun to be around – I will never forget the memories.
my earliest memory of Dick is also my first date with Fred. Can you believe it was at a softball field? Love you guys. We will miss your Dick. Hugs!!!!!!! Fred & Darla
Nancy, and family: So sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. It’s tough to lose your life partner! I will be thinking of you in the days ahead. My heart goes out to you. Love from Florida, Pam (Schmitt) Bastien.
To the family of Richard Burns (Dick), May the Lord wrap his loving arms around the whole Burns Family in this time of need and give you strength. Dick will be missed. Sorry for not being able to make it to the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Was with Dick from basic training all the way through our final destination in the Europe. He was a great friend and I am sorry to see his departure from this world. Prayers and Good Will to his family.