Helen P. Burns

Helen Burns of St. Louis County Missouri passed away at the age of 98 on Monday, January 29, 2024.   She was born in November 1925 in Gentry County, Missouri.  Helen was the eldest child of Harvey and Ruth Jameson Childers and the sister of the late Barbara and James D. Veron, the late Geraldine Sue and Albert Ziegemeier, the late John Childers, Carol (the late Lutz) Wittig and Michael (Beverly) Childers.   

Her young years were spent on the family farm in northwest Missouri near McFall surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  She attended a rural elementary school and graduated from High School in Chillicothe, Missouri in 1943, where her family had moved during World War II.   She then enrolled in St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, Missouri, Class of 1947.  Upon graduation, she worked two years in New York City and then moved to St. Louis where she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital and attended additional classes at St. Louis University.

In 1950, Helen and the late Robert H. Burns were married by Rev. Elbridge Bartley at Normandy Methodist Church.  She adopted the late John Randolph Burns, the four year old son of Robert and his first wife, Martha Schroeder Burns who succumbed to injuries from an auto accident.   Robert and Helen had two sons, Mark Gardner and Robert Andrew.

In the early years of their marriage, Helen continued working at St. Mary’s Hospital and did volunteer nursing at St. John’s Hospital in the 90s.  She later did secretarial work for her husband after he opened a law office in Clayton.  Helen enjoyed making things.  She did needlework, knitting, quilting, making candles, Christmas ornaments and beautiful wreaths from pinecones, acorns and other natural creations.  In the late 60s, Helen learned to fly and soloed.

Robert and Helen became members of Trinity Lutheran Church on Christmas Day 1957, transferred membership to Village Lutheran Church in 1985 and remained of strong faith throughout her life.

Helen was blessed with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren;

Grandchildren Kathryn and Jacqueline Burns, daughters of Kathy and the late John R. Burns; Clarke and Alexandra, children of Mark and Jane Burns and Lydia, daughter of Robert and the late Tamara Burns.

Great-grandchildren Griffon, Emma and Lily, children of Clarke and Amy Burns.

Helen was blessed by the members of her and Robert’s extended families and their cherished friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to a charity of your choice.

A Committal Service will held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 11:15 to 11:30.  If you would like to attend, please contact Mark Burns at 314-707-4619 for details on the cemetery’s procedures and the pre-service rendezvous location.  

“Oh Lord, may she and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”