Bea Burnson

Viola Beatrice (Bea) Burnson, lifelong resident of the Pine River area, beloved mother of four, grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of nine, died peacefully in her sleep Thanksgiving morning at the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Society in Pine River, MN, at the age of 105. Born September 5, 1907 in Ideal Township (which was named by her grandmother Mary Campbell Bowman) of pioneer parents William and Maude (Bowman) King, she attended her first 8 grades in a one-room schoolhouse which came to be referred to as "Whitefish University". At the age of 14, she won the first Crow Wing County spelling bee ever held.

Since there was no transportation available to go to Pine River High School, she had to leave home and work for room and board at an aunt's home to earn her high school diploma from Hackensack High School. She attended Bemidji Normal School to earn her teaching certificate. She later studied at Moorhead State Teachers College and at the same time taught in a program to train new teachers to teach in one-room country schools. Following that, she became the "school marm" at the Webb Lake School. During that time, she met Bill Burnson, who was working at the Mascot "A" Silver Fox Fur Farm. They were married July 19, 1931, and enjoyed 67 years together.

They lived apart their first year of marriage, seeing each other only at Christmas, since at that time if a single female teacher got married, she would lose her teaching certificate. So, Bea taught in Spearfish, SD under her maiden name while Bill remained in Minnesota.

While raising a family and assisting in the family business, she also found time to be active in church and community affairs. She was a 67 year member of the Eradelphian Club and was also an active member of the Pine River Methodist Church beginning since the 1940's. In later years, she and her husband were able to do extensive traveling, including Cuba, Chile, Turkey, Mexico and many European countries.

In 1954 there were an unanticipated number of third graders, so she was recruited to teach that year. Her classroom was in the basement of the old Armory building and had formerly housed the portable Pine River jail cell.

An avid reader, possibly her greatest legacy was being instrumental in the establishment of the Kitchigami Regional Library, Bookmobile and Pine River Public Library. She ultimately served on the Minnesota State Board of Library Trustees and was voted Trustee of the Year in 1970. She was a nominee for Cass County Outstanding Senior in 2001. Her portrait and personal history are also displayed in the Cass County Historical Museum in Walker.
Always a teacher and life-long learner, she impressed the importance of education on her family by word and personal example. From humble beginnings, she went on to lead a life of quality that reflected her wish to make the world a better place because of her efforts.

She was preceded in death by husband, William Arntzen Burnson; son, William Andrew (Marilyn) Burnson; daughter, Janice (Joseph) Wolinski; brothers, Harold King and Louis King; sisters, Velma Miller, Veta Hardy, Bernice Campbell and Charlotte McCollim; and grandsons, Joseph Wolinski and Brian Burnson. She is survived by daughter, Diane Julya (Andrew) Carter; son, Richard Arntzen (Bonita) Burnson; brother, Orville King; and grandchildren, Barry Burnson, Betsy Burnson Sibley, Brenda Burnson Simpson, Jeanne Wolinski Hobbs, Ananda Burnson Esteva, Andrea Burnson Esteva, Christopher Burnson, Jennifer Burnson Quagliano; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorials will be given to the Pine River Public Library.

Services will be 2 PM on Monday, November 26, at the Pine River United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine River. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.