Edward F. Burns
November 27, 2024
Edward Francis Burns, 93, of Hollywood Township passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, after having been in hospice near Winsted, MN. Ed was born July 19, 1931 at the Cottage Hospital in Watertown, MN to Edward J. and Rose C. (Connolly) Burns. He was the eldest of seven children.
Ed graduated from Watertown High School in 1948 and went on to graduate from St. John’s University in Collegeville with a degree in History. After college he enlisted in the US Army where he served in Korea until he was honorably discharged. Once out of the service he was employed as a teacher in outstate Minnesota in communities such as Ortonville, Fairbault and Kimball. Eventually, Ed ended up back in Hollywood Township to be closer to family and help take care of his aging parents. Ultimately, Ed found many years of steady work as a 2nd shift welder for Advanced Machine based out of Plymouth, Minnesota until his retirement in the early 2000’s.
Affectionately referred to as “Uncle Edward”, Ed would often be seen at family gatherings. Ed enjoyed gardening and tending to his acreage. He was an accomplished local athlete during his younger years and until recently could often be observed walking the county roads and splitting his own wood for winter. He enjoyed coming out to local football games and wrestling tournaments to watch his nephews compete.
Even though Ed left the teaching profession, he was a teacher at heart. He was a conservationist and an unabashed conservative. He loved to explore and read an awful lot. His books were some of his prized possessions which he was able to pass along earlier this year before he fell ill.
Most notable about Ed was his faith and appreciation for the freedoms we have in this country which are so often taken for granted. Ed diligently worked behind the scenes to engage policy makers on a wide range of matters. Ed staunchly opposed socialist ideology and enjoyed the debate of social and theological issues. Ed was truly one of kind and will be missed.
Ed was a member of the St. Mary’s Waverly Knights of Columbus council #1556.
Ed is survived by his brother Mike and sister-in-law Neda of Watertown; his sisters, Patricia Kane of Bloomington, Mary Rita Ludwig of New Hope and Monica Mahon of Winsted, Sister-in-Law Margie and many, many Nieces and Nephews.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rose; his sister, Sr. Rosemary Burns, his brother Patrick J. and brother-in-laws, Steve Kane, Sr. and Daniel Mahon.
A visitation is planned from 4-8 PM with a 7:30 PM prayer service Wednesday, December 4th at Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial for Ed will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 5, 2024, at St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church, Delano, MN with visitation for an hour beforehand 10-11 AM following a 9:45 rosary service in the church. Interment in Immaculate Conception cemetery, Watertown, Minnesota.
The Mass will be livestreamed on the Iten Funeral Home Youtube page, through the link provided below:
