Margaret Lela Burns

Margaret Lela Rathbun Burns, age 100, passed away on September 2, 2016 in Sunnyside, Washington at Prestige Care and Rehabilitation.

          Margaret was born May 28, 1916 at Burlington, Colorado to Roy and Viola Rathbun. She grew up in Brush, Colorado moving to Grouse Creek, Idaho at the age of thirteen. After graduating from Sand Point High School, Margaret attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington graduating in 1940. She then returned to Sand Point, Idaho where she met Adren Burns. They were married on December 6, 1941; Adren always said that their marriage was the cause of World War II. Margaret and Adren spent the war years in Clarkston, Tennessee where their oldest child, Bernard (Sparky), was born. They returned to Sand Point, Idaho after the war where their other three children, Harry, Margaret, and Tom were born.

          In 1950 Adren and Margaret moved the family to the Yakima Valley where they farmed in the Sunnyside and Grandview area. Margaret worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Grandview from 1964 until retiring in 1989.

          Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Adren in 1979, and three sisters Maude, Mary (Mike), and Lois (Tom), and four brothers Patrick, Mark, Charles (Chad), and Harry. She is survived by her children Bernard (Sparky) Burns and spouse Sherril, of Sunnyside, Harry Burns and spouse Laura, of Sunnyside, Margaret Moritz and spouse John of Ephrata, Washington and Tom and spouse Dorvalina, of Fresno California. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

          A graveside service will be held at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens on Tuesday September 6, 2016 at 2:30 PM.  Those wishing to sign Margaret’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com

Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 

 Service Information