Francis A. Burns

Francis “Frank” Alan Burns, 58, of Mason City, Iowa, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Gossman officiating.

Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with a Rosary and a Scriptural Wake Service with military honors following respectively, provided by the 1133rd Transportation Company.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Iowa or to Habitat for Humanity, in Mason City.

Frank was born Feb. 23, 1958, the son of John Clement and Mary Maxine (Maroney) Burns, in Waterloo, Iowa.  He married Roxanne Dawson on Dec. 19, 1992, at the Little Brown Church, in Nashua, Iowa.

A graduate of Columbus High School, Frank worked various jobs before joining the United States Army, serving his country and retiring from the 1133rd Transportation Company after 22 years.  He later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and attended Mankato State University after that.  He taught at Waterloo for four years, Madelia, Minn. for two years, and Clear Lake for 18 years, retiring in December 2016.

Frank was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Clear Lake, was a First Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7898 in Clear Lake, a lifetime member of the VFW and a former Cub Master for the Cub Scouts Pack 401.  He enjoyed gardening, hunting, camping, golfing and baseball.  He cherished the moments of watching his son win a State championship with the Clear Lake Lions baseball team, as well as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series that same year.

Frank is survived by his wife, Roxanne, of Mason City; a son, Bradley Burns, of Mason City; siblings, John (special friend, Pam) Burns, of Waterloo, Iowa, James (Nancy) Burns, of Atlanta, Ga., Barb (Alan) Burns-Stewart, of Ann Arbor, Mich., Tim (Violy) Burns, of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Tony (GiGi) Burns, of Waterloo; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Tom Burns.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.