BURNS, Dana "Dan" R., age 68

Died: Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Plymouth United Church of Christ (2010 Moholt Drive) in Eau Claire

Visitation: on Friday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home

Interment: at a later date in Brunswick Cemetery, Brunswick Township, Wisconsin

Memorials to Feed My People Food Bank or Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice are appreciated

Dana "Dan" Burns of Eau Claire died on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at the age of 68.

He was born on August 27, 1946 to the late Wilfred and Wilma (Schroeder) Burns in St. Charles, MN. Dana received a B.S. from Winona State University and his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. His career in education began as a high school teacher in Alma Center. However, most of Dana's career was dedicated to students with special needs; including teaching at Sunburst and Eleva-Strum, followed by several years as a special education director with CESA 10.

Family was Dana's passion and nothing pleased him more than having everyone gathered together for special occasions. Canoeing, hiking, camping and travel were among his favorite leisure activities, and spending time in the Boundary Waters and Glacier National Park topped his list. Dana loved woodworking, particularly furniture making, and looked forward to the arrival of the gardening season every spring.

Dana is survived by his wife, Mary, and their children: Larissa (Brent) Laufenberg, Marcus (Rachel) Burns, Laurie Stalheim, David (Julie) Stalheim, and Rebecca (Cory) Tennison; grandchildren, Parker and Graeme Laufenberg, Emerson Burns, Andrew and Sydney Stalheim, and Ellery and Patrick Tennison; sister, Edith (Randy) Senst; and extended family members.