Wilma Irene Burns

LEWISTOWN — Wilma Irene Burns, 97, former Moiese Valley resident, died peacefully Friday, March 2, 2006, at the Central Montana Skilled Nursing Center in Lewistown.

Wilma was one of seven children born to Charles H. and Arminta (Lickingteller) Spear on Dec. 10, 1908, in Sioux Falls, S.D. All of her siblings preceded her in death.

On June 29, 1927, Wilma married Leonard Russell Burns in Vernal, Utah. To this union, four children were born — Lavern Russ, William Lynn, Afton Duane and Deanna Rose. The family lived in Utah and southern Idaho before moving to the Moiese Valley in 1939.

Wilma worked the farm with her husband Ross until his death in 1982.

She remained at the family home in Moiese until her health required her to move to the Skilled Nursing Center in Lewistown to be near her grandchildren, Dan and Danielle Bartel, and their family.

Wilma's greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never tired bragging about them, their accomplishments or their antics. Her passion for flowers and gardening showed with the beautiful displays that were raised every year.

It filled her heart with joy to give her vegetables and flowers away to her many friends, family and neighbors.

Wilma is survived by her sons Lynn at the family home in Moiese and Russ of Esparto, Calif.; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of Wilma's life will be held Monday, Mach 13, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ronan.

Burial will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Ronan. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons, Dan Bartel, Don Akers, David Bartel, Dylan Bartel and Derek Bartel.

Creel Funeral Home in Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.