View Dot's Funeral Here

Dorothy "Dot" Burns, age 84, of Gardner, ND, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 15, 2023, under the care of her family.

Dorothy Elizabeth, the daughter of Andrew and Lorena (Barnes) Phillips, was born at her home on Shatto Avenue, in Akron Ohio, on January 14, 1939.  She spent her earliest years in Akron before moving to Medina, OH.  At the age of 13, Dorothy battled Polio and although she recovered, it would alter her life forever.  She attended Highland High School, graduating with the class of 1956.  In 1959, Dot married James Lepp and they were blessed with three children: Jim, Laura, and Beth.  While raising her young children, Dot attended Akron People's Nursing School, proudly earning her Registered Nursing Degree.  She began working, both as an RN and office manager, with Dr. Karl Burns in his medical practice.  Their professional relationship grew into love and on January 12, 1975, Dr. Karl and Dorothy were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairlawn, OH.  With this union Karl's two sons, Whit and Grant came into Dot's life. Their family expanded as they welcomed a son, Bruce and shortly thereafter, daughter, Kelly.  The blended family spent most of their years living on a farm with their horses in the Medina area.  Together they ran the medical office for many years. Dot's health began to decline with post-polio syndrome, and she began her retirement in 1988.  She continued to help in the office, as she was able, until the early 1990's.  In 2002, they purchased a farm near Gardner, ND where Karl and Dot spent the remainder of their retirement years together there.  Karl passed away in 2021 and Dorothy was able to remain in her home with the loving care of her family.

Dot was very active in her church and served as a lay minister.  She also served with the ELCA multicultural concerns committee, the youth group, and quilting within the church.  In retirement, Dot was an active member of Scandia Lutheran Church for many years.  Dot had witnessed many hardships throughout her life which fueled her compassion for the disadvantaged.  She tried to see the best in others and not hastily judge.  Dot volunteered her time and resources to many charities over the years and especially enjoyed teaching illiterate adults to read.  Dot loved being around people and her straightforward personality was quickly recognizable.  She had a wicked sense of humor and never minced her words.  Dot was smart, funny, passionate and loved fiercely.  She enjoyed reading, horses, knitting, baking pies, and tending to her roses.  She also loved an adventure, camping, and traveling.  Dot traveled across the United States and proudly visited England, twice, learning about her heritage.  She cherished her faith and her family.  Above all, Dot loved her Savior Jesus Christ and was looking froward to being in His mighty presence.  Blessed be the memory of Dorothy Burns.

Dot is survived by four sons: Whit Burns of Concord, OH, Grant (Amy) Burns of Punta Gorda, FL, James (Kim) Lepp of Waleska, GA, and Bruce Burns of Anoka, MN; two daughters: Laura Lepp-Ferrell of Diamond, OH, and Kelly (John) Ahola of Gardner, ND; one sister, Mary Burke of Woodstock, NY; 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Karl; one daughter, Beth McCaskill; and four brothers: George, Raymond, Leeroy, and David.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, MN, with a time of gathering one hour before.  Interment will take place at Scandia Lutheran Cemetery, near Averill, MN, at a later date.

For those not able to attend, Dot's services will be streamed on the Anderson Family Funeral Home Facebook page and will be viewable here, following the funeral.