Burns, Wallace E. (1926-2013)

BURNS, WHITE, MCPEEK, COPLEY, FILLIO, ROARK, SHEPPARD, GRADY, CHARIPAR

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/23/2014 at 14:11:34

Wallace E. Burns
August 18, 1926 - December 24, 2013

Wallace Edward Burns was born on August 18, 1926, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Mansel Wood and Nellie (White) Burns. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the Army Air Force, serving in Germany during World War II. Honorably discharged in 1947, he worked for Henkel Construction and then the Pure Carbonic Co., both in Mason City, before becoming a teacher.

On August 29, 1948, Wally married Patricia Rae McPeek at the Methodist Church in Mason City. They had three children: Karen, Peggy, and Michael.

In 1950, he graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa). Wally began his career teaching science at Alexander High School in Alexander, Iowa. While completing a Master’s degree in Educational Administration at Iowa State Teachers College, he continued teaching sciences for the Sheffield Public Schools. Then, he served as a science teacher and principal at Lansing High School, Lansing, Iowa, before becoming the High School Principal and Superintendent for the St. Ansgar Community School System. In time, he became the Superintendent first at the Marathon Public Schools and then at the Stanwood Public Schools. In 1974, he and Pat moved to Storm Lake when he became the Director of Secondary Education for Iowa Central Community College, a position he held until he retired in July of 1991.

Recognized as a fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge in 2008, Wally first joined Pearl Lodge #426 in Sheffield. Later, he became a member of Jewell Lodge #309 in Storm Lake before transferring to Pomegranate Lodge #408 in Alta. He was a member of the VFW, Phi Delta Kappa, and the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, the Wiseman’s Club of Mason City, the Lions Club, and the Elks. A lifetime member of the NRA and a charter member of the Buena Vista Rifle and Pistol Club, he volunteered for the Heart Association serving as President for three years and received a state award. From 1996 through 2007, he also served on the Storm Lake City Council. Over the years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapshooting, acting as an NRA Trainer, making candy, cooking, attending flea markets, and having coffee with his friends at Hardee’s.

Preceding Wally in death were his parents, his brother, Jay Burns, and his son-in-law, Frederick Richard Copley.

Wally suffered a fall while visiting his daughter in Atlanta, Georgia. Admitted to the Atlanta Medical Center, he died there on December 24, 2013, from complications caused by the fall.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-five years, Pat, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his children: Karen Burns Copley, of Green Valley, Arizona, Peggy Fillio, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mike, and his wife, Doris Burns, of Madison Lake, Minnesota; three grandchildren: Matthew, and his wife, Erin Burns, of Costa Mesa, California, Kathryn Fillio, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Margaret Copley Roark, and her husband, David Roark, of Waldorf, Maryland; three step-grandchildren: Katie Sheppard, of Lahaina, Hawaii, Jamie Sheppard, of Mankato, Minnesota, and Jessie Sheppard, of Madison Lake, Minnesota; five great-grandchildren: Megan, Molly, and Wyatt Burns and Frederick and Matthew Roark; one sister, Janet Grady, of Millersville, Maryland; and one sister-in-law, Jo Charipar, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A memorial service and celebration of life for Wallace “Wally” Burns, 87, of Storm Lake, will be held at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 10, 2014, with the Rev. Dr. Matt Miller officiating. Visitation will follow the service at the church. Inurnment will take place in Ventura, Iowa, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Diabetes Unit at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. The Redig Funeral Home of Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Copyright © 2014, Redig Funeral Home, Aurelia, Iowa.

Redig Funeral Home, Aurelia, Iowa.
 

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