Irene Burns
Hattie Irene Keene Burns, 95, daughter and granddaughter of a Montana pioneering family, passed away on October 29, 2018, in White Sulphur Springs, MT. She had checked herself into the Mountainview Nursing Home on October 17, 2017. Irene was born April 27, 1923, in Canton MT, the third of four girls born to Guy and Hattie Keene.
Irene’s grandfather, Frank Keene, came to Alder Gulch in 1864 with a team of oxen and settled into ranching in the Missouri River Valley in 1865. Irene’s parents homesteaded on Antelope Creek, near Lingshire in 1911.
Irene and her sisters, Alta and Jessie, attended the Rock Creek School at Lingshire, a one room schoolhouse, for most of their elementary education. The school closed after Irene graduated from eighth grade in 1935 because of declining enrollment. Irene and Jessie went to high school in Phillipsburg, as their older sister, Viola, and her husband, Lewis Chittim, were living and employed there. After Viola and Lewis moved, Irene and Jessie stayed and boarded there to finish high school, and Irene graduated from Granite County High School in 1941.
Irene returned to the ranch and relieved her sister Alta, so she could attend Business School. She helped her folks for six years scratch out a living by herding sheep, milking a few Guernsey cows for the cream and tending to the chickens for their eggs. Irene walked many, many miles in the mountains around the Antelope Creek homestead, summer and winter with frosted feet or whatever discomforts the weather offered to get the job done. As there were no boys to help, she worked like a man.
Irene married Larry Burns on October 23, 1946. He was an orphaned cowboy taken in by Wellington Rankin and working and living in a cabin in Snedaker Basin, and a WWII veteran. They settled in White Sulphur Springs where they raised their family of four: Ron, Sharon, Donna Kay, and Bobby. She only had a Drivers License for a year, not being able to tolerate all the advice she received from the “back seat”. Irene continued to walk everywhere that she went, being to the store for groceries, or to work at the SPA Motel for 20 years. For the three years that Larry needed assistance she walked to the Mountainview Nursing Home to visit him every day but two – she had out of town appointments. She faithfully stood by him and supported him and their family. Their marriage lasted a week short of 50 years.
All those that met Irene were greeted by her radiant smile and words of kindness. Her home and table were open and welcome to many family, friends and strangers. One Labor Day weekend, after the rodeo, a complete stranger came out of the bedroom the next morning and sat down at the table for breakfast.
Irene was one of the founding members of the BYK (Bring Your Kids) Club in the 1950’s, and it later became the ODO (Our Day Off) Club. She was awarded a life time honorary membership and enjoyed meeting with these ladies monthly. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and Yoked Parish for 60 some years but never declared membership, as her grandfather was a devote Methodist and built a church, and cemetary on the hill above the Ranch at Canton. She enjoyed visiting with people but never had a desire for the taste of alcohol, coffee or cigarettes.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, E.L. (Larry) Burns, parents Guy and Hattie Keene, and her sisters Viola Chittim, Alta Chittim and Jessie Hickman. She is survived by her children, Ron (Donna) Burns, Sharon (Jim) Gelhaus, Donna (Virgil) Kinnaird and Bob (Patty) Burns, her grandchildren, Kami, Kurt, Craig, Larry and Taylor. Her great-grandchildren are Kyla, Cheyanne, Jaxon, Maddie, Rylie, Roxy, Addison, Sadie, Elizabeth, Emma and William, along with several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4th at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 103 E. Garfield, White Sulphur Springs. Viewing will begin again at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 5th with a funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m. at The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches, 411 Jefferson Street in White Sulphur Springs. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Mayn Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial in the fellowship hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Irene’s name to Mountainview Medical Center, 16 W. Main, White Sulphur Springs , MT; attn: Activities. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Irene.
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday November 4, 2018
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
103 E. Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m .
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Monday November 5, 2018
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday November 4, 2018
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
103 E. Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m .
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Monday November 5, 2018
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday November 5, 2018
The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches
411 Jefferson Street
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
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Barbara M Cole says
My deepest sympathy to all of the Burns family. Your family was one of the first friends we made in Montana and we have many good memories of both of your parents and so do my kids. Barb Cole and Laurence, Holly, Amber and Wayne
Jo Berg says
My sympathies to Irene’s family. I always enjoyed visiting with Irene over the years. She was a bright and spunky lady. She had a lot of stories about White Sulphur and it was fun hearing her memories.
Betty Burdette says
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. How wonderful to have her for these years, but even so you will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Richard Anderson says
So very sorry for the loss of your Mother. A grand lady indeed. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Glenda Clark says
Dear Sharon, Ron and rest of the family,
Our sincere sympathy for the loss of you Mom. I know how special and how loved she was which means she leaves a void in your lives. May God bless you and give you strength in the days ahead.
Deb Halikas says
Dear Sharon Ron Donna and Bobby. Words can not express the feeling of loss in my heart. She. Was so very special to me. She was like a Grandma to me and an amazing great aunt. I loved our conversation on the phone she always made me feel so good after talking to her. I am so blessed to have the nights I spent at the house. Part of my heart is now in heaven. Love you all so much.
Rick Ellison says
Your mother had the most radiant smile and soft, kind glowing eyes everytime I saw her. What a lady. We will all miss her
Linda Ledbeter says
Irene was one of a kind. She always made whomever she spoke with the most important person around. That was an art. She also never hesitated to lookout for others. I admired her a lot. She will be missed. Linda Gabriels Ledbeter.