John F. Burnham

John Francis Burnham of Leonard, ND, has passed away at the age of 90. John was born in Fargo, ND on July 24, 1934, to John Lewis and Marjorie (McKay) Burnham of Wheatland, ND. John grew up with his three brothers – Bruce, Ben, and David. He attended Wheatland Elementary and High School, a member of the graduating class of 1952. John then continued his education at the University of North Dakota, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Music and Education.

John’s first teaching positions brought him to the small, rural North Dakota communities of Rutland, Elgin, and Fullerton before putting down roots in Leonard to teach at Leonard High School. Most of John’s teaching career was spent in Leonard, from 1964 until its closing in 1994. Throughout the years, John taught a variety of subjects like English, French, and Geography. He also served as Librarian and kept scorebook and clock for many years for the Leonard Panthers basketball teams. In 1967, he took his teaching abroad for one year and taught at a US Army School in Germany, where he met his dear friend, June.

Though separated in distance by more than a thousand miles, John and his dear friend, June Spear, were longtime friends and travel companions who were brought together by their mutual love of teaching, music, and travel. John had many fond memories of visiting June at her home in Maine, where she lived near her parents. John made several trips to Maine, where the two then traveled throughout the New England area. Other trips with June included Montreal, Prince Edward Island, and Vancouver in Canada, San Francisco, and National Parks in Colorado, Montana, and Utah, and a fantastic and memorable trip to Alaska.

John had a deep interest in history and culture, traveling extensively across the United States and several countries. John visited almost all the states in America; he took several trips to Europe and Asia, including Germany, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Spain, Portugal; and two trips to Russia (USSR and Russia). He had great memories of visiting with his German and Danish friends. When John wasn’t traveling, he brought the countries to him in the form of hosting numerous exchange students throughout the years.

John loved music, apparent by his decades-long organ-playing career at two Leonard churches, New Hope Lutheran Church and St. Peter Lutheran Church. Frequently, his favorite symphonies would be heard playing in his classroom and at home. John also loved attending FM Symphony Orchestra performances.

John was a member and volunteer of the Leonard Senior Citizens and the Watts Free Library. When the weather turned a little colder, John looked forward to the local pinochle tournaments at the Ringneck. He also enjoyed dining and spending holidays with friends. John was interested in photography and playing dominos, but none of these hobbies held as special a place in his heart as his love for his best friends throughout the years, his many dogs.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marjorie; brother, Ben Burnham; and his friend, June Spear.

John is survived by his brother Bruce Burnham (Karen Williamson); his brother David (Karen) Burnham; sister-in-law Judy Burnham; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A service to remember and celebrate John’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025, at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND.

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