Laurrene Alice Burns

Laurrene Alice Burns, age 83 of Cathedral City, CA, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019 in Portland Oregon.  Graveside Services will be Noon, Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Rose City Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.  Visitation will be Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 9am-5pm.

Laurrene was born in 1935 to Alfred and Mabel Magedanz, their only child.  Although an only child, she had a large and loving extended family.

In 1953, she married Jack Burns, the love of her life.  Together they raised four children who cherished her.

Although Laurrene worked outside the home, she was really known for being a loving wife, mother and grandmother whose priority was her Christian faith and the love and care of her family.  She loved to plan family gatherings and celebrations, create lovely photo albums of treasured times, sew and craft to create meaningful keepsakes such as  the Linus Quilt Project, baby bibs, school supply backpacks for Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Samaritan Purse Christmas boxes, and hand sewn Raggedy Ann dolls for her special kids.  Laurrene worked for Portland Community College as a records administrator from 1977-1995 and was responsible for the graduation ceremonies.  In the 1960’s and 70’s, Laurrene and Jack taught Ballroom Dance and traveled the world as entertainers on cruise ships.  For the past 15 years, she was a proud volunteer at the Bob Hope USO of Palm Springs.  She was one to always be active, was a keen storyteller and loved a good laugh.  Above all, Laurrene was a kind hearted, generous and a precious soul – her sweet spirit touched everyone, even those meeting her for the first time.  No words will ever truly be sufficient to describe how wonderful Laurrene was or how deeply she will be missed.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband of 66 years, Jack Burns; children, Cathy Miller, Karen Burns (Bill), Sally Urlin (Allan); Jacquie Zehner (Bill); grandchildren, Heather Miller, Justin Miller (Jennifer), Laura Evans (Mike), and Jack Urlin; three great-grandchildren, Shawn and Evan Miller and Joseph Hockman.