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BORN
1924
DIED
2012
Stella Burklund Obituary
Stella Santero McVay Fowler Burklund
December 16, 1924
February 20, 2012
"I'd rather be playing Bingo"
The journey on earth for Stella Burklund, 87, ended on Monday, February 20, 2012, after a valiant battle with many ups and downs with her health, stemming from cancer surgery in June 2011. During her illness, she endured with dignity and without complaint, working very hard to recover to her normal health and strength. Stella was born on December 16, 1924, to Domenick and Minnie Santero, in Sterling, Colorado. She married Bert A. McVay, November 23, 1945, in Oberlin, Kansas. They were the parents of Dennis Eugene McVay (deceased), Gracie Lynn Nunley, and Mickey Alvin McVay. After a divorce, Stella married James H. Fowler (deceased) in 1964. She later married Donald K. Burklund (deceased) of Brule, Nebraska, in December of 1992. This marriage was full of fun and travel and a lot of contact with siblings and family. For the last four years of her life, Stella enjoyed companionship with a wonderful friend, Dale Anderson (deceased). They had the love of music in common and played keyboards together. Stella was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was unique, independent and a kind-warm, loyal friend and neighbor. Stella was known for her immaculate flower gardens and her love for all things beautiful. She was a very sparkly lady in countenance, as well as dress. She was always ready to fix a meal or help in any way. She loved to play cards for quarters and would never say "NO" to Bingo, even in her last days at the rehab center. Stella had a huge love for music and lived to play the accordion or the keyboard. She didn't really care for animals, but she did welcome many pets belonging to loved ones in her home.
Stella is survived by daughter , Gracie Nunley (Ken) of Spring City, UT, son, Mickey McVay (Carol Bratcher) of Lemmon Valley, NV., brothers, Vic Santero, Ogallala, NE., Guido Santero (Janice) of Clinton, MO., sisters, Alba Einsphar, 97, of New Plymouth, ID., Nora Schmidt of Star, ID., Mary Lou Noe, of Sparks, NV., and Edith Copsey (Jess) on Inverness, FL. She will be fondly remembered by 8 granddaughters, Lisa McVay, Tammy Schultz, Carie McVay Birky (Ian), Misty Pereira (Joe), Paula Nunley, Claudia Ruple (Zane), Christene Weston (Larry), and Vickie Jorgenson (Bryant), 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandsons.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Irving Ernest, Eddie, and Eugene (Swede), her sister, Lena Rusley, and granddaughters, Suzette Jeannea Silva and Casie McVay.
A celebration of her Life will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1114 Prater Wy, Sparks, NV. Services will begin at 12:00 Noon in the chapel. Prior to the service, friends and family may attend a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, 2700 North Virginia St., Reno, NV., following the service. To continue the celebration, there will be a luncheon for family and friends at the same church building on Prater Way from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Stella's family would like to thank all of her wonderful friends, as well as our wonderful friends and family, for their love, support, and prayers through this truly trying time. Online condolences may be offered on their website at www.rasmussenmortuary.com
December 16, 1924
February 20, 2012
"I'd rather be playing Bingo"
The journey on earth for Stella Burklund, 87, ended on Monday, February 20, 2012, after a valiant battle with many ups and downs with her health, stemming from cancer surgery in June 2011. During her illness, she endured with dignity and without complaint, working very hard to recover to her normal health and strength. Stella was born on December 16, 1924, to Domenick and Minnie Santero, in Sterling, Colorado. She married Bert A. McVay, November 23, 1945, in Oberlin, Kansas. They were the parents of Dennis Eugene McVay (deceased), Gracie Lynn Nunley, and Mickey Alvin McVay. After a divorce, Stella married James H. Fowler (deceased) in 1964. She later married Donald K. Burklund (deceased) of Brule, Nebraska, in December of 1992. This marriage was full of fun and travel and a lot of contact with siblings and family. For the last four years of her life, Stella enjoyed companionship with a wonderful friend, Dale Anderson (deceased). They had the love of music in common and played keyboards together. Stella was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was unique, independent and a kind-warm, loyal friend and neighbor. Stella was known for her immaculate flower gardens and her love for all things beautiful. She was a very sparkly lady in countenance, as well as dress. She was always ready to fix a meal or help in any way. She loved to play cards for quarters and would never say "NO" to Bingo, even in her last days at the rehab center. Stella had a huge love for music and lived to play the accordion or the keyboard. She didn't really care for animals, but she did welcome many pets belonging to loved ones in her home.
Stella is survived by daughter , Gracie Nunley (Ken) of Spring City, UT, son, Mickey McVay (Carol Bratcher) of Lemmon Valley, NV., brothers, Vic Santero, Ogallala, NE., Guido Santero (Janice) of Clinton, MO., sisters, Alba Einsphar, 97, of New Plymouth, ID., Nora Schmidt of Star, ID., Mary Lou Noe, of Sparks, NV., and Edith Copsey (Jess) on Inverness, FL. She will be fondly remembered by 8 granddaughters, Lisa McVay, Tammy Schultz, Carie McVay Birky (Ian), Misty Pereira (Joe), Paula Nunley, Claudia Ruple (Zane), Christene Weston (Larry), and Vickie Jorgenson (Bryant), 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandsons.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Irving Ernest, Eddie, and Eugene (Swede), her sister, Lena Rusley, and granddaughters, Suzette Jeannea Silva and Casie McVay.
A celebration of her Life will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1114 Prater Wy, Sparks, NV. Services will begin at 12:00 Noon in the chapel. Prior to the service, friends and family may attend a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, 2700 North Virginia St., Reno, NV., following the service. To continue the celebration, there will be a luncheon for family and friends at the same church building on Prater Way from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Stella's family would like to thank all of her wonderful friends, as well as our wonderful friends and family, for their love, support, and prayers through this truly trying time. Online condolences may be offered on their website at www.rasmussenmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Feb. 28, 2012.
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