Beverly (Burner) Lee

Beverly Jean Lee, passed away on October 16, 2024, at Serenity Memory Care, surrounded by her family.  Beverly was born on August 25, 1938 to Carl and Louise Burner in Fargo, ND. Beverly was one of four children; Milton Burner, Phyllis Flick and Sharon Christiansen.

Bev graduated from West Fargo High School and was a proud Packer.

 In 1957, she married Rodney Lee from Kindred, ND. Bev was known for her many hours of weed picking and working on her flower beds and garden. She looked forward to the Red River Valley Fair each year to exhibit her floral arrangements.  Bev was active at the Kindred Lutheran Church, Kindred Jaycees and a leader of the Kindred Busy Bee’s 4-H Club. Bev and Rod later separated and remain friends today.

After moving to Fargo, Bev worked at deLendrecie’s Department Store in various positions: Floral Arrangement, Display Department, coordinating retirement, & Christmas parties.  After retirement from deLendrecie’s Department Store and later Herberger’s, Bev looked forward to decorating Santa Village for the Fargo Park District.

In the winter of 2004, Bev became Mrs. Claus for Santa Village at Rheault Farm. Mrs. Claus was busy in the kitchen helping children decorate frosted sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles and telling her jokes. She was known for Mrs. Claus pumpkin & chocolate chips muffins. She would bake something for the elves and Santa every day.  She loved wearing a red long skirt, festive sweater vests and her red hat tops her curly white hair. Bev was known for her apple pies, one year she made 75 pies to sell between November and December after she retired being Mrs. Claus.

She volunteered at Bethany Retirement Living Center coffee shop and Triumph Lutheran Church in Moorhead in the nursey and Women’s Ministry Fall Festival.

Bev was diagnosed in 2022 with dementia and Serenity Assisted Living and Memory Care became home.  Her family would like to thank the staff for the care, kindness and the many planned activities. She was treated with respect and we greatly appreciate each of them.

She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughter, Sheri (Dale) Larson. Grandchildren Lindsey Miller, Brian (Abby) Elliott, Brianna (Eric)Gustafson, and Christian Larson. Great grandchildren Karly Larson, Chloe Miller, Rory Elliott and Hope Gustafson. Surviving siblings Phyllis Flick and Sharon Christiansen and many nephews and nieces.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Milton (Jean) Burner, special friend Neil Nelson, daughters Cynthia Lee, Jill Elliott and granddaughter Kayla Elliott.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer Association or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral:  Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 2 PM at West Funeral Home Chapel, West Fargo, ND with visitation from 12 to 2 PM.

Final Resting Place:  Perhus Cemetery, rural Kindred, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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