Luella Burch

Luella Frances Burch, age 99 of Cannon Falls and a longtime resident of Stanton, died on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls. Luella was born at home in rural Stanton on September 27, 1911 to William T. and Martha C. (Smith) Robinson. She was raised on the farm and her entire family had their own chores to do. She went to country school through 8th grade, and graduated from the Cannon Falls High School in 1930. The depression was really just beginning and work was hard to find. She worked for Al Berggren for two years caring for their house and the children. Luella met Lawton Burch at Epworth League at the Stanton Episcopal (Methodist) Church on Sunday nights. Lawton had granny's old coupe and he offered to take Luella home and that's how it all started! She married George "Lawton" Burch on June 16, 1936 at the Stanton United Methodist Church. Back in those days, Stanton had a baseball team and all the young women enjoyed going to the games. They lived for 15 years on the Moses D. Fox farm and in 1950, they built a home in Stanton. She raised chickens and sold eggs. She had a big garden and she froze and canned vegetables and fruit for winter. She was a 4-H leader for 5 years, and worked for Carleton College for 11 years and the Laura Baker School for ten years (three days a week) in the housekeeping department. She wrote the Stanton News for the Cannon Falls Beacon for 39 years and also the Northfield Independent paper for many years. Luella and Lawton were custodians for their church for 35 years. She also printed the church bulletins for 10 years. She was a life member of the UMW (United Methodist Women), served as treasurer for 7 years, and also worked on other committees. She served as a leader of the March of Dimes and Heart Fund. She belonged to a birthday club that she enjoyed very much. She enjoyed playing "500" with her Senior group, and also four of her friends would go out to eat dinner once a month. Over the years she loved to play Scrabble and did that up until 2 weeks before her death. She dearly loved her family and spent endless time with them. She is survived by two daughters, Louetta (Iver) Larson of Kellogg, Idaho and Joan (Harry) Melhouse of Cannon Falls; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Burch of Stanton; 8 grandchildren, Reed (Rebecca) Larson of Dolores, CO, Kari (Matt) Kohrs of Portland, OR, Blaine (Lynn) Melhouse of Kenyon, Natalie Melhouse of Lakeville and Gail Molohon, a longtime family friend of Lakeville, Mitchell Melhouse (fiancée, Carol Husman) and Regan (Janell) Melhouse, all of Cannon Falls, Chris (Leanne) Burch of Madison, WI, and Tim (Megan) Burch of Avon, CO; 10 great-grandchildren, Amber, Matthew, Ryan, Derek, Tyler, Nathan, Kayla, Aaron, Lawton and Mara; 1 great-great-grandson, Caiden; brother, Harry (Betty) Robinson of Stanton; brother-in-law, John Burch of Cannon Falls; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband for 62 years and 9 months, Lawton on March 8, 1999; son, George Jr. on November 30, 2010; three sisters, Evelyn Robinson, Elizabeth Fox and Martha McKeag; one brother, William Robinson; and sister-in-law, Jeannette Burch. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Stanton United Methodist Church, with Pastor Arthur Hill officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday. Active pallbearers will be grandchildren, Reed Larson, Kari Kohrs, Blaine, Mitchell, Regan and Natalie Melhouse, Chris and Tim Burch.

Memorials are preferred to the Stanton Cemetery, Stanton United Methodist Church, or donor's choice.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Service
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Graveside Service
Saturday, May 14, 2011

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