Gladys Leona Burns

Gladys Leona Burns was born on August 14, 1930 to Hector and Olga (Becker) Thooft in Minneota, Minnesota. While growing up, Gladys attended Tyler School, graduating in in 1948. During her time in middle and high school, she enjoyed dancing, riding her bike and playing yard games. She also enjoyed a good game of cards and spending time in the kitchen baking and cooking. Gladys furthered her education by attending courses at Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota and at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. She obtained her teaching degree. On September 26, 1953, Gladys was united in marriage to Patrick Burns at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, Minnesota. Gladys was a resident at the Beehive Homes Assisted Living Center in Lakeville, Minnesota, where she passed away on December 19, 2025 at the age of 95 years, four months and 5 days.

During her life, Gladys wore many hats. She worked as a time keeper for Northrop Grumman Company while living in California. Following her time in California, Gladys became a teacher at the Lynd Elementary School in Lynd, Minnesota, teaching 5th Grade for three years. She then became a teacher at St. Michael's Catholic School in Stillwater, Minnesota for four years. Gladys spent the remainder of her teaching career being a substitute teacher for District 197 for ten years.

Gladys is survived by her children, Nancy (Denny) Donaldson of Mesa, Arizona, Diane Dau of Farmington, Minnesota, and Dale (Julie) Burns of Northfield, Minnesota; grandchildren, Patrick Dau, Robert Donaldson, Kathy Schwartz, Jenny Giller, Angie Burns, Dan Burns, Brian Donaldson, Michaela Dau and Ashley Dau; great-grandchildren, Preston, Easton, Cameron, Winter, Malik, Cooper, Vanessa, Colt, James, Evelyn, Jackson, Hannah and Jacob. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Burns; children, Tim Burns and Baby Burns; parents, Hector and Olga Thooft; six siblings; niece, Jacqueline Thooft; and nephews, Mike Felsch and Jerome Rynda.