Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Sunday

November 11, 2012

Helen Lorraine Burr

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TRAVERSE CITY — Helen Lorraine Burr passed gently into the arms of her loving Savior, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 1, 2012, surrounded by her family. Helen was born on March 21, 1925, in Traverse City, the daughter of E. Bruce and Gladys (Montgomery) Jordan.

Helen was raised in Traverse City, where her father owned a small general store, in which the New Moon Pizza is now located.

She graduated from Central High school in 1943. On Aug. 7 of that same year she married S 1/C Leonard Arthur Burr, who was stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard base with the U.S. Navy.

Living in the Oak Park district, Len and Helen raised their four daughters, Lenda, Patricia, Dianne and Nancy. Helen was a stay-at-home mom who was very active in the PTA and other school functions of her daughters. She was an excellent homemaker with amazing skills in knitting and sewing, of which she taught many years in 4-H and in the kitchen.

Her love of flowers was apparent in the landscaping of the yard, and she still found time for one of her favorite pastimes — reading! The family spent many hours at the library on Sixth Street, where she also volunteered.

She belonged to two neighborhood sewing circles in which lifelong friendships were established. Len and Helen enjoyed both square dancing and round dancing and spent many Saturday evenings enjoying the friendship of fellow dancers.

In 1969 Len and Helen moved to River Road, where Helen assisted her husband in the "Burr's Upholstery" shop.

She coaxed abundant vegetables out of her garden with her "green thumb". Her pride and joy was her beautiful rose garden. She attended many extension classes, always updating her knowledge and her skills. Len and Helen were avid campers and travelers. Distance did not keep them from visiting family and friends.

After the death of her beloved husband in 1989, she moved back into town and furthered her knowledge with more classes, developed new, creative interests and was an avid bridge player.

She was very active in her church. She was a member of Oak Park Congregational and then the former Asbury Methodist Church (Traverse Bay United Methodist). She volunteered for many events and filled many positions to help further the gospel.

She is survived by her daughters, Lenda McQueer, Patricia Burr, Dianne Burr (Dennis Fleischman) and Nancy (John) Bradford; loving grandchildren, Pam (Glenn) Chikas, Dawn McQueer, Sheri (Wes) Cornwell, Wendy (Jason) Barron, Scott Burr, Michael and Jeffrey Burr Schwandt, Jordan (Briana) Bradford and Rachel (Tobin) Eyestone; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are too numerous to list, and she adored every single one of them.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Len; mother and father; brothers, Glenn and Mark Jordan; sister, Iris Carpenter; nephew, Ed Carpenter; niece, Sandra Jordan; and son-in-law, David McQueer.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., at Peninsula Bible Church, 430 Fair Street, Traverse City. The church is directly across from Kid's Kove at the civic center. There will be a visitation time one hour before the service begins. Please join us in the celebration by wearing her favorite color - pink (any shade)!

Memorials may be directed to Meals on Wheels, 3963 Three Mile Road N., Traverse City, MI 49686.

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