Linda Rae Burns

September 2, 1951 - February 5, 2021

Linda Rae (Nelson) Burns died peacefully on February 5, 2021, in Clarkston, MI, at the age of 69. She is fully healed in the Lord and reunited with so many people who loved her. Linda was born on September 2, 1951, to Gilbert and Devona Nelson and grew up on a farm on Quick Road. She started dating Tim at Holly High School and went on to marry him in July of 1971. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. The young couple welcomed daughters Christina, Cynthia, and Casandra, of whom Linda and Tim were so proud. You may have gotten stuck at some point listening to them reciting a litany of their girls’ accomplishments. Linda taught her girls early on that anything boys could do girls could do better. She also taught them the importance of family, friendship and believing in themselves even when it was difficult. As a life-long resident of Holly, Linda wore many hats. You may have known her as Arlo, Mama Burns, Aunt Linda or Coach. She may have been your Girl Scout leader, chaperone for a class trip, or stand-in on Parents Night. Maybe you attended Nelson’s Naughty Nightlies, an MSU tailgate or as a member of her beloved book club. Some of you were part of her bowling team, 4-H Trail Riders, or church family. Linda was also a photographer, a Master Gardener, and a Stephen Minister. No matter where you knew her from, you experienced Linda’s smile and her kindness toward others. Linda is survived by her devoted husband of almost 50 years, Timothy; proud daughters, Christina (Jason) Strockis of Grand Rapids, Cynthia (Chad) Bredernitz of White Lake, and Casandra (Gregg) Nigl of Columbus, OH; sisters, Nancy (Ron) Yokom, Carolyn (Arnold) Denson, and Jeannie Lewis; sisters-in-law, Barb (Tim) Stallcup and Patti Nelson; and grandchildren, Anna, Nathalie, Tyler, Brendan, Jack, Kaiden, Spencer and Maya, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Devona Nelson; mother-in-law, Josephine Burns-Hillman; and brother, Robert Nelson. Visitation will be held at Dryer’s Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, a private funeral will be held for the family with Rev. Dr. Sharlyn Gates officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Linda’s name to the Holly Presbyterian Church or the Holly Kiwanis Club. The family would like to thank Linda’s caregivers over the past two years, Marsha, Beth, and Lucy, and the staff at Addington Place of Clarkston, especially Barb. You each made Linda’s final months peaceful and filled with loving care. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com