Edla Burtner

Edla Johnson Burtner (93) passed away at the Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on August 8, 2008.Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 15 at the Kuper Memorial Cemetery (Chinook, Montana) for Edla Johnson Burtner, a former teacher and resident of Chinook for many years, who passed away on August 8 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Edla was born on August 16, 1914, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to Jalmer and Olivena Johnson. As a young girl, she became a very avid and strong swimmer while swimming in the lakes. Edla received an Associate Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota in Bemidji, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Minnesota State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Edla began her teaching career in 1935 in Minnesota and in 1939 moved to Montana to teach in a rural school near Brockway. On May 31, 1941, she married Herman Burtner in a small ceremony in Glendive, Montana. They farmed near Circle, Montana for many years and at that time Edla took time away from teaching to start raising their family. In 1954, the family moved to Jordan, Montana and Edla resumed her teaching career at Garfield County High School and Herman began working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1956, the family relocated to Chinook where Edla taught 2nd grade at the Meadowlark School until in 1966 when she moved to Massena, Iowa and continued teaching in the Cumberland-Massena Elementary School. After 32 years of teaching, Edla retired in 1980 and returned to Chinook in 1981. Edla was preceded in death by her husband in 1961, parents, three sisters, and one brother. Edla is survived by her brother, Reverend Henry Johnson, Detroit Lakes, MN; daughters, Mary (Merle) Thompson, Bonners Ferry, ID; Nancy (Ken) Myers, Bonners Ferry, ID; Pat (Steve) Freeman, Albuquerque, NM; and son John Burtner, Missoula, MT. She is also survived by granddaughters Julie Carothers, Benton City, WA; Janet (Bret) Krick, Belle Plain, MN; Jo (Brad) Fast, Parker, CO; Jacki Thompson, Marshfield, WI, Kirsten Freeman, Albuquerque, NM, and grandson Christopher Freeman, Alexandria, VA; great grandchildren Katie, Christy, and Ethan Fast; Bryan and Kayla Krick; and Nathan and Andrew Ujda. While living in Chinook, Edla was active in the United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma - Iota Chapter; Eastern Star - Northern Star Chapter #23, the National Education Association, and the National Retired Teachers Association. She also did volunteer work at the Senior Center, the United Methodist Church, and Sweet Nursing Home. Edla was very much loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She was very proud of her family and their accomplishments and she always provided unconditional support and love to all generations and they were the joy of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the United Methodist Church and/or the Chinook Senior Center. The family of Edla would like to extend an invitation to spend time with us after the services at a reception at Wallner Hall (United Methodist Church). We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.