passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023 in her home, with loving family at her side.
Born on August 10, 1927 in Faribault, Minnesota to August (Gus) Schuller and Florence (Flossie) Fitzsimmons Warnemunde Schuller, Marian was sister to brothers Chuck, Jim and Danny Schuller and sisters Donna Simpson, Joyce Kaderlik Smith and Gloria Lawler. Early years were spent outside Faribault on her family farm picking wild strawberries and mulberries, baking bread from scratch, helping with chores and making homemade ice cream on Sundays.
Marian attended school at Faribault and Morristown High Schools where she was a cheerleader. While working in Minneapolis, she met Eddie Burns on a blind date arranged by her boss, and they were married on October 3, 1949 in Faribault, Minnesota. Fifty-six wonderful years were shared until Eddie’s death in 2006.
Marian’s passions were her faith and family. As Eddie broadened his career by advancing in management positions throughout the country for a major national business, Marian moved with him to seven houses in various states, spanning from Louisiana to the midwest to California. She always created immaculate, welcoming homes in each place which offered safety, love, comfort, fun and food for generations of family and friends. She was in her element supporting Eddie and his career by graciously hosting business dinners and activities, livening up the room with her sharp wit, fun loving demeanor and intelligence.
Although she worked as a real estate agent at times, she was most proud of caring for her family.
Her children and grandchildren could reliably spot Marian at baptisms, confirmations, high school and college graduations, sports games, water polo and swim meets. Always active in her community, one could find her volunteering to serve lunches at St. Patrick’s School, being a room mother, 4 H leader, Girl Scout mom, serving on many church and golf committees, taking Holy Communion to the ill, participating in Junior League, attending Historical Society meetings or organizing and manning voting booths on election day through the League of Women Voters.
Marian played competitively in numerous golf tournaments and joined bridge games wherever she lived. The couple loved traveling to nearly all US states and other countries, often playing golf along the way. Retirement found Marian and Eddie at Pine Mountain Lake, Ca. in a happy home they built as a gathering place for beach fun, birthday pinatas, golf and family celebrations. After Eddie’s death, Marian lived in their Fresno home, still maintaining contact with her loved Minnesota and Iowa relatives, and delighting in visits from family and friends. She maintained her place at the center of family celebrations with her well spoken, fun toasts which were often made during her favorite Christmas eggnog season.
Marian is survived by her three children, Terri (Teresa) Bricker (Kem), Jan Van Buskirk, Scott Burns (Barbara); her grandchildren Jason Van Buskirk (Laura), Chris Van Buskirk (Danielle), Sharon Morken (Jonathon), Shannon Luff (Sam), Sean Burns (Alissa), Danielle Bricker (Henry Hung), Ryan Bricker, Rory Bricker (Lydia); step grandchildren Bailey Garcia (Jim), Jenna Thompson (Kyle Williams), and Nicole Thompson; her great grandchildren, Owen, Rye and Molly Bricker, Ezra Luff, Vince Morken, Sterling Van Buskirk; step grandchildren Olivia and Sofia Rose Garcia and Parker Williams; and sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Jim Leland.
Most importantly, Marian leaves us a model of a life well lived through love, faith and devotion to family. She is deeply missed. A Memorial Mass will be held on April 15th at 2:00 P.M. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Big Oak Flat, Ca. Interment next to husband, Eddie will follow in the church cemetery with dinner afterwards. The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers Yuri Torres, Destiny Cordero, Sara Serna and Lori Deutinger for their kindness and love, as well as her dedicated doctors, Dr. Kumari Iyer, Dr. Virk Dulai, Dr. Helen Jones, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Valles and Dr. Rory Bricker.
Remembrances may be sent to Valley Children’s Hospital of Central California, 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera CA, 93636 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis TN, 38105
