Lela Burns

Lela M. Burns, 87, passed away May 4, 2017 at Altoona Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Lela Mae Burns was born January 25, 1930, in Centralia, Craig County, Oklahoma to Claude Elmer and Beulah (Cox) Burns. She was the eldest of four children, attended school in Centralia, graduating Valedictorian in 1948. Lela was recruited by Look Magazine and moved to Des Moines after graduation. Lela owned her own residential cleaning service, which she enjoyed tremendously, until retirement in 1997.

Lela met Charles DeWayne Burns in 1944 and on December 25, 1948, they eloped and were married at Diamond, Newton County, Missouri. They were the parents of four children, Allice (Mark) Reynolds, Michael Allen Burns, Roger Dale Burns, and Charles David Burns. Lela was fortunate to have life companion James Clair in later years.

Lela is survived by her daughter, Allice (Mark) Reynolds; grandchildren, Stephanie Reynolds and Mark Allen Reynolds II; great grandson, Jackson Gridley; and sister, Juanita J. (Burns) Griffin. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Charles; and companion, James; all her sons; brother, Julian James Burns; and sister, Billie Marie Burns.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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