Gertrude "Gert" Burns, 69, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, died Sunday at Munson Medical Center.
She retired from Sara Lee Bakery after 23 years of service.
She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and the Cherryland Eagles Motorcycle Club, and a volunteer at the Traverse City Community Hospital and March of Dimes.
She was always baking cookies and she touched the hearts of many people. She loved her family and grandchildren.
Born Feb 1, 1927, in Cadillac, she was the daughter of William and Mary E. (Dorsey) Johnson. On Oct 17, 1945 in Traverse City, she married Raymond J Burns, her husband of 50 years, who survives.
Also surviving are five children, Rober (Karin) Burns of Petoskey, Diana (Jess) Taylor of Augusta, GA, Caroline (Jeff) DeVincent and Robert (Cathy) Burns of Traverse City, and Evelyn Weaver of Howland Corners, OH; two sisters, Marie Krause of Muskegon and Doris Staton of Port Huron; two brothers, Frank Johnson of Lakewood and Vernon (Donna) Johnson of Saginaw; 15 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Barbara Burns in 1958 and a brother Robert Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wed at the First Church of the Nazarene, Traverse City, the Rev. Michael O. Bright officiating. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm today at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes, where the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold a memorial service at 8 pm.
Memorials may be given in Mrs. Burns name to The First Church of the Nazarene.
