Burnham John Wilson

Burnham John Wilson

Born: Sat., Jul. 24, 1937

Died: Mon., Dec. 14, 2015

Visitation

7:00 PM Wed., Dec. 16, 2015

Location: Veterans Memorial Building

Funeral Service

1:00 PM Fri., Dec. 18, 2015

Location: Veterans Memorial Building

Burnham John Wilson, age 78, ZOONGIZI-GWAYAKOGAABAWI-ININI which means "He is solid, strong, stands straight MAN", began his spiritual journey from the Cass Lake IHS Hospital in Cass Lake, Minnesota on Monday, December 14, 2015 with his family near his side. Burnham was born in Cass Lake on July 24, 1937, the son of Charles Rogers Sr. and Luella Wilson.

Burnham was raised by his Grandma and grandpa Wilson with auntie Muriel's help. He always lived at the Mission Corner with his Wilson family. He joined the United States Navy at seventeen (1955-1967). He returned home to Cass Lake and worked as a logger. He completed the Staples Technical Institute in 1987 as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He also attended Bemidji State University working towards a Bachelor's Degree.

He married Evelyn Baker in 1962 in Rockford, Illinois and they had two sons, Mark and Mike Wilson. He later had Brenda, Jojo, Jimmy and Jason. In 1973 met his life partner Cecelia "Bone" Drouillard and they had three children, Louella "Anna", Burnham "Dauser" and Barbara "Punkin". He was well known and liked by all. He had a strong character with leadership characteristics. His sense of humor was unique and shared by his friends around the Mission. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was known by several nicknames in humorous ways. He was looked up to by many. Burnham loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and friends. He like playing 31, going to the casino and watching Family Feud. Everyone liked going to "Grandpa's". He never turned anyone away that needed a place to stay. His kind heart, big smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all.

Family that Burnham meets again are his parents; Charles Sr. and Louella, a daughter; Barbara Drouillard, sister; Mary Rogers, five aunts, two uncles and three granddaughters.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his sons; Mark and Michael Wilson both of Minneapolis, James and Jason Brown both of Cass Lake and Burnham (Ramanda) Drouillard of Cass Lake, daughters; Marilyn Staples, Brenda (Allen) Pence and Louella Drouillard all of Cass Lake, special daughters; Linda Staples of Cass Lake and Denise Staples of Minneapolis, brother; Charles Rogers Jr. of Minneapolis, 37 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren, other relatives and many many friends.

A wake for Burnham will begin at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16th and continue until his 1:00 p.m. funeral service on Friday, December 18th all being held at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Pastor Mark R. Olson will officiate and the Leech Lake Ojibwe Singers will provide ojibwe hymns both nights of the wake. Pallbearers for Burnham will be Nicholas Budreau, Corey Drouillard, Daniel Drouillard, Ryan Staples, Anthony Antell and Richard Budreau Sr. Alternate pallbearers are Jacob Morris and Michael "Julio" Staples. His honorary pallbearers are Leo Blair, James Dorr, John "Painter" Fisherman, Patrick Staples, Jim Crandall and Eugene "Ribs" Whitebird. Military honors will be accorded by the Leech Lake Honor Guard. Interment will be in the Prince of Peace Cemetery at Mission following his service.

Burnham's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com