Burreson, Gary Alan -- 1941 - 2005
BURRESON, ELLINGSON, WINGER, BELMONT
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2012 at 10:43:00
Gary A. Burreson, age 63, of Decorah, Iowa, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2005 at Decorah Lutheran Church by Rev. James Glesne.
Friends may call from 3:00-6:00 P.M. Sunday, March 20, 2005 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and an hour prior to the services on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to the Gary Burreson Memorial Fund.
Gary Alan Burreson was born July 30, 1941 in Decorah, Iowa, the son of John Hildus and Rose Evenlyn {sic} (Ellingson) Burreson. He graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1959. Gary earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Secondary Education in 1967 from Luther College in Decorah. He also worked on a Master’s Degree in Music Performance at the University of Colorado.
He was united in marriage with Lorraine E. Winger on October 29, 1965 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. To this union, two sons were born: Jon and Jan.
Following college, Gary and Lorraine made their home in Boulder, Colorado for 26 years. Gary worked as a Lieutenant in the Boulder Police Department for ten years and as Supervisor of Loss Prevention for United Parcel Service in Boulder for ten years. Gary also worked for several years as the maintenance director for Frasier Meadows Manor Care Center in Boulder. Gary and Lorraine returned to Decorah in 1993. Gary was a US Army Veteran serving as an E5 in Army Intelligence from 1961-1963.
Gary was very artistic and musical. Blessed with a beautiful voice, he loved to sing. He shared his creative talents in many ways, but especially through the gift of music, singing at numerous weddings, funerals and special occasions in his lifetime. Gary loved nature and the outdoors. He planted many trees over the years and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Gary also liked to work with his hands, enjoying wood carving and crafting. His mechanical skills allowed him to repair many things.
For the past fifteen years, Gary has fought his illness with cancer with determination and dignity. He never allowed his suffering to be a negative in his life. In fact, he chose to offer his experiences as life lessons for those around him. Gary always tried to focus on the positive and had a great will to live, never wanting to give up. He had a powerful presence throughout his illness that was an inspiration to everyone. Gary will never be forgotten, but remembered with fondness for the many gifts he gave in his life to those he loved and who loved him.
Gary’s memberships included Decorah Lutheran Church, The Elks Lodge and Oneota Country Club in Decorah, and a former member of Atonement Lutheran Church of Boulder, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hildus and Evelyn Burreson.
Gary is survived by his wife, Lorraine of Decorah; two sons, Jon Burreson and his wife Lidia of Lyons, Colorado, Jan Burreson and his wife Rebecca Belmont of Loveland Colorado; a grandson, Nicholas Burreson of Lyons, Colorado; a brother, Tom Burreson and his wife Joanne of Decorah, Iowa
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Decorah Lutheran cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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