Alton F. Burns

Vadnais Heights, MN,

passed away peacefully

on April 13, 2022

He is survived by his

wife, Patricia Ann

(Howell); daughters, Shel-

ly (Gregg) Nemitz, Kathy

Burns; grandchildren,

Grant Burns, Daniel (Bai-

ley) Nemitz, Adam (Leigh)

Nemitz, Olivia (Avery)

Peterson; nieces and

nephews.

He was preceded in

death by his parents,

Ralph and Helen; sister,

Darlene; and grandson,

Steven.

Alton was born and

raised in Minot, ND,

where he met his wife Pat

when they were young

teenagers. They married

September 1, 1957. After

earning his music degrees

at Minot State University

and Colorado State in

Greeley, Alton started his

teaching career in North

Dakota. In 1966 his young

family moved to St. Paul

where he taught band at

Murray High School and

Como High School. He

mentored countless young

people throughout his

career. Music was his life,

playing in a number of

dance bands for over 50

years, starting in high

school.

Alton was a man of

many interests, most of

which were outdoor ac-

tivities. He enjoyed flying,

fishing, hunting, golfing,

and reading. He was a

licensed pilot who logged

in many hours in the sky,

flying small aircraft. He

was a competitive bass

fisherman who won

countless trophies. Alton

loved North Dakota and

the expanse of the beauti-

ful sky. He went there for

many years in the fall to

hunt with family. He was

also a great storyteller.

(Bradshaw Funeral

Home and Cremation Ser-

vices, White Bear Lake,

MN)