The Reverend George Burns passed away, peacefully on May 13, 2024 after a brief illness in Helena, Montana.
George was born in Butte, Montana on November 21, 1942 to Mary (Dennehy) Burns and George P. Burns. He was educated in Butte Catholic schools and graduated from Carroll College, Helena, MT. He received master’s degrees from St. Thomas Seminary, Seattle, Washington and from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska and did further post-graduate studies at Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
On June 1, 1968, George was ordained a priest at St. Anne’s Church in Butte, Montana.
During his 25 years as a Catholic priest, Father Burns taught at Butte Central High School and later served at St. John’s and St. Anne’s Parishes in Butte; St. Anthony’s Parish in Missoula; St. Peter’s Parish in Anaconda. He was pastor of Christ the King Church in Missoula and at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Dillon. In the 1980s George was the director of the Permanent Deaconate Program for the Diocese of Helena and was the founding director of the Program for the Formation of Lay Ministry in the diocese. In 1992 Father Burns withdrew from active priestly ministry.
In 1994 he moved to Helena and began working for the State of Montana, first for the Office of Public Instruction and then at the Office of the Commissioner of High Education in the unit for Workforce Development and Two-Year Education. After his retirement he enjoyed working as a volunteer with the Senior Companion Program through the Rocky Mountain Development Council.
George is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, James (Curly) and Mary Burns of Helena and by his nephew and niece, Patrick, and Sarah Burns, both of Missoula. Also surviving are his many Dennehy and Burns cousins as well as many cherished friends he made through the years.
A Vigil Service is set for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Funeral Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Butte, MT at a later date.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Dan Lamphere says
I’ll miss you, ole friend. Many thanks for your kindness and support all these years. Thanks also, for your wisdom and advice and for laughing at and appreciating my sometimes-irreverent Christmas cards. I am grateful we got to visit one last time this past April.
You were truly unique.
Janet Hinkle says
I will miss you at exercise class, bus trips to far off and not so far places and being a friend for so long! We had lots of laughs and I cherish the memories.
Carl Deitchman says
Godspeed home, George, where your parents and friends who have gone before you wait for you. I will miss you but hold fond memories of you close to my heart.
Michael Prendergast says
George, you will be missed for your humor, your dedication to education and ministry. You made a significant and profound difference in the lives of so many. May his memory be eternal!
Laurie Kops says
Oh, George…you witty, brilliant, kind , loving, cantankerous man…you will be missed and thought of often. RIP, my friend.
Curly….all of my love to you. Thinking of you through this journey…❤️
Connie Glovan says
George, It was my privilege to work with you for many happy years. You always told me I was so smart and you helped me so much when I couldn’t figure out what I was doing. I’ll never forget our business trip to New Orleans….what a blast! I’ve never laughed so hard. I just wish I would have told you how much I adored you, and I always will.
Connie Glovan
Sally says
George, I miss you. You were the only person I could tell how much I disliked the weather rookie segment on KTVH and not feel I offended every grandparent. Frequently we talked about heaven, a question your mother also asked, “what’s it like up there?” “It’s essences of people floating around -you might meet Uncle Bud, Dwight Eisenhower, or a kid from high school”. “I think they all will be smoking. ” “perhaps”.
Rest in peace.
Marie Dahlstrand says
It was a pleasure working with George at St. Anns. He was a superb human being who really embraced his love of God and conveyed that love to everyone he met. I will always treasure his friendship and acceptance.
Pat Reichert says
Fond memories of working with George at OPI. Such a sweet, funny, fascinating man. We had many conversations, some that changed the way I viewed the world. Someone you don’t easily forget. My thoughts are with you, Curley, and your family.
Kate Ryan says
Well there George Patrick
Burns.
I call you my mentor in all matters,really. I will deeply miss our Thursday chats more than you”ll know. They often included the back road to any errand and often a parking lot peruse, a sippa of the season & of course, the best converatio ns: deep and not very, but always joyous. To my world traveller, you have made me a better person. Thank you.
Kate Ryan
Sandy says
I meant George when I was a senior companion. What a wonderful person. I could listen to him talk all day. He had a great voice. R I P. George. ❤️🙏
Emily Miller says
Hi George, hope this is the right person. I’ve been thinking about trying to get ahold of you have a while now, when I finally got your number, I found it was disconnected.
Thank you for standing up for what you know is right and making the lives of everyone around you brighter. You were ahead of your time and will be greatly missed.