FAIRMONT — Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph “Joe” M. Burns, age 79, of Fairmont, MN, will be 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont with inurnment in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 16, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at The Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Joe passed away on Saturday evening, July 13, 2019, from complications of Parkinson’s, surrounded by his loving family in Fairmont.

Joseph Michael Burns was born on September 19, 1939, in Watertown, MN. He was the son of Joseph and Edna (McGraw) Burns. Joe graduated from Watertown High School in 1957. He furthered his education at St. John’s University and later graduated from Mankato State University in 1961, with a major in Social Studies and minors in Physical Education and Math.

On June 24, 1961, Joe was united in marriage to Patricia Remiger at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, MN, and shared over fifty-eight years together with Pat. This union was blessed with four children, Amy, Joe, Dan, and Kate. The couple resided in Holdingford, MN, where Joe taught from 1961 to 1965. They resided in Waterville, MN in 1965 and moved to Fairmont in 1966.

Joe attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church where he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, was Chairman of the Church School Board, Septemberfest, and building project. He was an usher, former Lector and choir member. Joe was also the 2nd Vice-President of the MSU Newman Club.

Joe’s life was devoted to teaching and coaching. At Fairmont High School he taught Social Studies and was part of a successful football coaching staff for over 25 years. In 1972 Joe was instrumental in starting the Fairmont wrestling program. After decades of teaching and coaching he retired in May 1997, but never really hung up his whistle and pencil as he remained a teacher and coach to many throughout his life. He has been called a “favorite teacher” by many former students. Joe was a Life Member of the State High School Coaches Association, a member of the Minnesota Coaches Association where he earned the 25-year award, served on the State Wrestling Board Advisory Committee, and Life Member of MEA and NEA. Joe was inducted into the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame for Coaching and earned the Fairmont Teacher of the Year for 1989-1990.

Joe’s community was very important to him as was clear by his involvement and leadership in numerous organizations. He was the President of the Early Risers Kiwanis in 1991 as well as Lt. Governor of Kiwanis Division 22 from 1998 to 1999. Joe was a member of the Human Rights Commission, was a hospital and clinic escort, Chairman of the Fairmont “Ghost Tours”, Fairmont Mentors, Venture Travels Tour Guide, head of The Walking Bus and Safe Routes to School, was a County Park Board Member, and head of the City Bike Trails for Fairmont 1590. Joe was proud to have the bike trail officially named the “Joe Burns Trail” and was the recipient of the 2010 Golden Deeds Award.

During his free time, Joe enjoyed woodworking and carving as well as traveling and camping. He was an avid bike rider, runner, and card player. Joe and Pat were members of their 500 Card Club for over forty years. He was proud of his Irish heritage and always met everyone with a smile and would brighten their day with his humor. He had a knack for telling stories.

Left to cherish his memory includes his wife, Pat Burns of Fairmont, MN; his daughter, Amy Burns (Trent) Seaman of St. Louis Park, MN, grandchildren Jonathon “JT”, Caitlin, and Brianna Seaman, his son Joe (Kris) Burns of Minneapolis, MN, grandchildren Hallie and Joey Burns, his son Dan (Kathy) Burns of Winter Park, FL, grandchildren Patrick, Emily, and Thomas Burns, and daughter Kate (Michael) Jacobsen of Lawrenceburg, IN, grandchildren Erin and Kyle Jacobsen; siblings, Jolley (Dick) Gross, John (Cathy) Burns, and Mary Jo Severance; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (Willard) Berle, and Ginny Eckhart; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Edna Burns, brothers-in-law, Tommy Remiger, and Larry Eckhart.

Memorials are preferred to the St. John Vianney Endowment Fund, Fairmont Partners in Education, Fairmont 1590 for bike trails, or to donor’s choice.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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