Burnice L. DeLeeuw

Obituary

Burnice “Burny” Lorraine (Larsen) DeLeeuw was born August 27, 1933, to Jens Peter and Luella Mae (Mortenson) Larsen at The Frank Gilland Farm, in Morgan, Minnesota. She was 1 of 7 children whom all practiced their faith as Seventh Day Adventists. Burny attended school at District 90 in rural Morgan through 8th grade. She then attended Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and graduated the class of 1951. Burny picked out a young man at Ted's Roller Rink in Hutchinson, as the one she was going to marry one day. She married Donald Charles DeLeeuw of Bird Island, Minnesota, at high Noon on June 13, 1953, at the home of the Justice of the Peace in Hutchinson. They were blessed with 70 years of marriage and 5 children: Alan Charles, Suzette Ellen, Thomas Peter, James Harland, and JoyAnn Marie.

Burny worked hard on the farm in Morgan, growing up and later doing laundry to pay her way at Maplewood Academy. She got her very first job at the furniture factory in Hutchinson. Once she and Don started their family, she worked hard taking care of them. Burny helped Don dump milk along with all other duties at the creamery. She was employed part-time at LaSalle Cleaners in Hutchinson, worked as a Title One Aide at the Cosmos Elementary School, and held the position of Environmental and Maintenance employee at Cosmos Healthcare. Burny and Don also raised and sold rabbits for several years.

When living at the West Lynn Creamery she belonged to the Riverdale Ladies Club. Burny was an excellent seamstress and also enjoyed doing embroidery. Burny also had the love of bowling, making many friends as she bowled league for 50 years. She appeared on the Bowlerama television show and won a diamond ring and a trophy filled with silver dollars. Burny and Don went on a 22-day trip, won by Don, touring Europe. One of Burny’s biggest highlights was being the champs of the Class A MN State Women's Tournament in 1974. The Corvuso Creamery Team won state with a score of 2917. Her team also attended several National Tournaments.

Burny attended many of her children's and grandchildren's high school sporting events. Burny and Don were often found at the Cosmos Ball Park watching men's, women's and pee wee league games or just stopping in for a bag of popcorn. Burny and Don went snowmobiling and enjoyed playing the game of marbles with their close friends and treasure hunting to auctions with Sis and Johnny Bahr. Burny belonged to the Cosmos American Legion Auxiliary for 55 years and was proud of being a flag bearer in the Cosmos Space Festival Parades. Burny, along with the residents of Corvuso started hosting the Corvuso Days Celebration which was held for 6 years. She loved babysitting her grandchildren whenever needed.

Burny lived in Corvuso for nearly 59 years. In August of 2024, she moved to Hutchinson residing at The Oaks Assisted Living and then had a short stay at Harmony River Living Center. Corvuso will always be her true home. Burny passed away at Hutchinson Health on November 3, 2025, at the age of 92 years. Blessed be her name.

Burny is survived by her
Children, Alan DeLeeuw and his wife, Jane of Hutchinson, MN,
Suzette Peterson and her husband, James of Litchfield, MN,
Thomas DeLeeuw and his wife, Cheryl of Byron, MN,
James DeLeeuw and his wife, Shelley of Cosmos, MN;
13 Grandchildren;
18 Great-Grandchildren;
Sister, Gladys Otto of Redwood Falls, MN;
Sister-in-law, Ardis Larsen of West Allis, WI;
Brothers-in-law, Gerald DeLeeuw and his wife, Donna of Hutchinson, MN,
John Senkyr of Bird Island, MN;
Special friends, Ben and Doreen Hansen of Corvuso, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Burny is preceded in death by her Husband, Donald Charles DeLeeuw; Daughter, JoyAnn Marie in infancy (1960); Parents, Jens Peter and Luella Mae Larsen; Father and Mother-in-law, Charles and Winifred DeLeeuw; Siblings, Florence (Don) Diekmeier, Eunice (Joe) Hale, Emmett Otto, Milton Larsen, Vivian (Lloyd) Maude, Wilton Larsen; In-laws, Marjorie (Robert) Larson, Roger (Mary) DeLeeuw, David DeLeeuw, Kenneth DeLeeuw, and Kathleen Senkyr; Niece, Jessica Senkyr; Grandson, Jacob John stillborn.