Mary Burns

Mary Burns, 83, Bismarck, passed away peacefully January 10, 2016, while surrounded by family at CHI St. Alexius Health. The Celebration of her Life will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 15, 2016, at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Ave, Bismarck, with Father Corey Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Mary was born September 23, 1932, in Wilton to Harry and Alice (Moritz) Triska. She was raised and educated in Wilton and graduated from Wilton High School. On August 17, 1954, she married Larry Burns at St. Mary's Church in Bismarck. They lived in a number of locations before settling in the home they built in north Bismarck. She lived there until her death. Mary dedicated her life's work to the raising and care of her family. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. Her home was always filled with family and friends and few left without a sandwich and cookies. One of her specialties was decorated sugar cookies for every holiday. Her annual flower beds were beautiful. She kept some of the Ukrainian traditions with cooking pyrohy (petaheh), even trying to teach her daughters, with limited success. Mary was spirited and lively, outgoing and always positive, she had a generous heart. Her Catholic faith and the sacraments were very important to her. She felt blessed that her grandchildren were attending Catholic schools. She is survived by her two daughters, Lonnie Burns and Andrea (Chris) Nordberg; two sons, Gary Burns and Kenny (Christina Fetzer) Burns, all of Bismarck. Eight grandchildren; and one sister, Sylvia Jacobs, Bismarck; and many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren brought her the most joy, Lauren Nordberg (17), John Nordberg (16), Kellie Burns (15), Kyle Burns (14) David Nordberg (13), Kari Burns (12), James Nordberg (9) and Kale Burns (8). It was important to her to teach them 'life lessons'. Some of her lessons focused on that our lives have 'seasons' for planting and for life and death. Another important was to teach them about the difference between a want and a need. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her daughter, Kathleen Ann; three sisters, Anne Diede, Pearle Wall and Lydia Loehrke; one brother, Mike Triska; four brothers-in-law, Alfred Diede, Albert Wall, Jack Loehrke and Jerome Jacobs; and one sister-in-law, Hertha Triska. Mom we will miss you so much. You were a special mother, grandmother and friend to us.