The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just MAKE the best of everything they have. We were lucky to have the BEST in our Grandma Jean and she was so very good at making the best of everything. Elizabeth Jean Burlingame Luhman was born at home in Becker County on Friday, October 26, 1923. Her parents were Homer and Gladys (Schmaus) Burlingame whose family grew to include 8 brothers and 4 sisters for Jean. Grandma grew up on the Ponsford Prairie, carried her lunch to school in a pail, slept upstairs with her sisters where the water froze at night and waited eagerly to get to school every day. After 8th grade she boarded in Park Rapids to go to high school. Grandma couldn't see the board at school because she needed glasses so she worked with the Home Economics teacher to earn those glasses and then, in her words, "I passed with flying colors." On a stormy Christmas Day when Gram was 16 she delivered her baby brother, Ray, and thus ended her plans to become a nurse. In her words, "There was NO WAY that I was going to be a nurse after that day. I didn't want all of the mess and I liked kids so I knew I would rather teach." She graduated from high school in 1942 and worked that next summer as a "Rosy the Riveter" in Detroit, Michigan riveting Bombay door for airplanes. She took one year of "normal school" and began her teaching career in a one room school with 3 pupils. Inflation set in and her second year of teaching was spent in a 2 room school with 37 students. One night as she was out socializing she met a handsome young man in a uniform and knew immediately, "That's the guy for me!" She and Paul Francis Luhman were married January 10, 1945 and ultimately built a home in Mahnomen. Their loving union produced 11 children…..Richard (Judy Tremel), Linda Horbul (Russell), Michael (Valerie Rude), Duane (Renee Erstgaard), Mark (Joan England), Mary Olsen (Bob), Diane Busse (Jim), Peter (Diane Kochmann), Pat, Carol Buresh (Joe), and Brad. Things happened and now there are 23 Grandchildren….and 15 (almost 16) Great Grandchildren as well. While raising those 11 beautiful children Grandma also raised a huge crop of vegetables each growing season. Jean is also survived by four brothers: George (Donna) Burlingame of Seattle, WA, Donald Burlingame of El Paso, TX, Dwight (Audrey) of Indianapolis, IN and Ray (Ginny) Burlingame of Hilton, NY; three sisters: Barb Fraizer of Detroit Lakes, MN, Lola Christenson of Ponsford, MN, and Elaine Nelson of Albuquerque, NM. She was a master gardener, but especially enjoyed growing many different varieties of flowers. Her special passion was for irises and she cultivated those blossoms with the same love and kindness that she showered on her family. Between her family, her gardening, her flowers, and her quilting, Grandma found time to work as the librarian at the Mahnomen Public Library for 24 years, retiring in 1998. Her love of reading, camping, fishing with her walleye slaying husband and making yearly trips to Canada to go house boating with her family created many happy memories and even more Tall Tales!!!!! Since leaving her house in 2008 she has been staying with her daughters who have taken amazing care of her! After a recent fall Grandma was hospitalized and then moved to Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo where on Thursday, August 19 at the age of 86 our dear Grandma left us to join her husband of 44 years. She was surrounded by 28 family members, Father Meyer and lots of love. Life will never be the same without our favorite, feisty little Grandma and all of us will tread more cautiously now that she is watching over us from her new home. We love you, Gram!!!!!!

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen, led by Father Rick Lambert. Visitation was held Monday, August 23rd from 5-7 pm with a prayer service and rosary starting at 6:30 pm at the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Burial took place at the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Special music was provided by Jennifer Kahlbaugh and Kristi Bement accompanied by Brenda Sorensen. Serving as pallbearers were her grandsons: Joe Luhman, Greg Luhman, Bill Horbul, Chad Luhman, Daniel Luhman, Jason Luhman, Paul Luhman, Scott Luhman, Ted Busse, Tony Busse, Jake Luhman and Josh Luhman. Honorary bearers were Jean's granddaughters: Chirstine Luhman, Dr. Julie Horbul, Susan Horbul, Heather Luhman, Amanda Luhman, Angela Morrison, Tammi Heath, Jessica Busse, Beth Luhman, Andrea Luhman and Julie Luhman.
Burial was in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Mahnomen.