Leona Helen "Lee" Damm Burns, 66, Minot died on Saturday, September 1, 2007 in a Minot hospital.

Lee was born on May 25, 1941 in Minot, ND to Joseph and Emelia (Thomas) Bertsch. She was raised in Minot and graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in 1959. As a young adult she was employed at Public Finance Company and Astro Reproductions in Minot. Lee married Bruce Damm on December 29, 1962 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Minot. They made their home in Denver, CO; St. Louis Park, MN; and Georgetown, Guyana in South America until 1970 when they returned to the United States. Bruce was killed in a car accident in 1971 and Leona and her three sons returned to Minot to be near family. She was employed at the Knights of Columbus Club, Super 8 Motel and Sun Mart Grocery Store. She married Joseph Burns in 1985 in Las Vegas, NV and they made their home in Minot. Joe died in 1994. She had continued to reside in Minot.

Leona was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and enjoyed music of all kinds especially singing as well as bingo and the color purple.

Survivors include her sons: Bruce (Sarah) Damm of Medford, OR, Brian (Annette) Damm of Hillsboro, OR and Brad Damm of Minot; six grandchildren: Ashley, Erica, Emily, Allyssa, Jordyn and Dylan; sisters: Alvina Loveland and Eva Smathers both of Minot and Theresa Iverson of Fargo and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and sisters: Adeline Kerzman and Viola Kerzman Krukenberg both of Minot.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church - Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.