Mary E. Burns

Mary E. Burns, age 97, of Janesville, died peacefully on Monday afternoon, January 28, 2019, at the New Richland Care Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Monday, February 4, at Church of St. Ann in Janesville with Fr. Michael Cronin, celebrant. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2-5 PM on Sunday, February 3, at Church of St. Ann in Janesville and will continue from 9:15 10:15 AM on Monday in the Divine Mercy Chapel of St. Ann Catholic Church.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Ann Building Fund or donors choice.
www.janesvillefuneral.com
Mary Evelyn was born on May 13, 1921 in Byron Township, Waseca County, Minnesota to Henry and Sarah (Norton) Linnihan. She was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her Catholic faith in her youth all at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland. Mary grew up on the Linnihan family farm in Byron Township. Mary attended country school and later graduated from Freeborn High School with the class of 1939. Following high school, Mary helped on the farm for one year before attending Normal School in Wells where she received her teachers certificate and taught at a country school.
At an Easter Monday dance held in New Richland, Mary met Matthew John Burns of St. Mary Township. They were later united in marriage on June 24, 1944 in All Saints Catholic Church at New Richland. Together they made their home on the Burns Family Farm in St. Mary Township, Waseca County where they raised 7 children. Mary was a remarkable farm wife, tending to her gardens, making her daily trips to town to deliver milk and most importantly taking care of her children. Together, Mary and Matthew shared 48 year of marriage before Matthew died on March 8, 1992.
Mary was a active and faithful member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville and Catholic Daughters. She was the last living charter member of the Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota and a member of the NE Extension Club. Mary was a wonderful cook. Her family fondly remembers her for her compassionate care she shared with all of them and her resilient nature that she held on to throughout her life. Blessed be her memory.
She is survived by her children: John Burns of Willmar, Kevin (Edna) Burns of Waseca, Daniel (Diane) Burns of Faribault, Mary (Phillip) Strehlow of Waseca, Helen Burns of St. Lous Park, Robert (Joan) Burns of Janesville and Michael Burns of Janesville; grandchildren: Jennifer (Abe) Warnert, Nathan (Ashley) Burns, Ben (Kara) Burns, Laura (Reid) Olson, Tim (Kirsti) Burns, Anna Burns, Joey Burns, Matthew Strehlow, Ryan (Darby) Strehlow, Mallory Strehlow, and Caitlin (Tony) Strehlow; great grandchildren: Maggie Burns, Quinn Burns, Amelia Burns, Roman Olson, Richie Olson, and Ryan Olson; sister Margaret (Norbert) Schultz of New Richland; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Prededed in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Kenneth Linnihan and Helen Dulas.