Lena Gudd was born in Kansas in 1911 and was the last surviving of 12 children born to Mary and William Burman. She moved to Arizona with her second husband, Earl Gudd, in 1952 and fell in love with the desert, especially the weather. She is a graduate of Washburn High School in Topeka, KS and for many years returned to Topeka for both school and family reunions. Lena was an inveterate volunteer. For many years she drove 40 miles across Phoenix to volunteer at the Veterans Hospital, leaving at 5:00 a.m. in order to get ahead of the traffic. She also was active with the American Legion, and was involved in preparing hundreds of meals for thousands of people over many years. She was a pie baker par excellence and her pies were most sought after. During the Second World War, she held a number of positions including managing a grocery store in Topeka. She and Earl ran a landscaping business in Arizona before he died. She lived with Carol and Barry in San Francisco for the past six years where she was often quoted saying How can such a beautiful city have such lousy weather?! She maintained her wonderful sense of humor to the end. She is survived by her daughter Carol, her son-in law Barry and many beloved nieces and nephews as well Barrys two sons and their families in Vermont including the five perfect great-grandchildren.
Burial at Foster Cemetery in Topeka, KS
Lena Gudd was born in Kansas in 1911 and was the last surviving of 12 children born to Mary and William Burman. She moved to Arizona with her second husband, Earl Gudd, in 1952 and fell in love with the desert, especially the weather. She is a graduate of Washburn High School in Topeka, KS and for many years returned to Topeka for both school and family reunions. Lena was an inveterate volunteer. For many years she drove 40 miles across Phoenix to volunteer at the Veterans Hospital, leaving at 5:00 a.m. in order to get ahead of the traffic. She also was active with the American Legion, and was involved in preparing hundreds of meals for thousands of people over many years. She was a pie baker par excellence and her pies were most sought after. During the Second World War, she held a number of positions including managing a grocery store in Topeka. She and Earl ran a landscaping business in Arizona before he died. She lived with Carol and Barry in San Francisco for the past six years where she was often quoted saying How can such a beautiful city have such lousy weather?! She maintained her wonderful sense of humor to the end. She is survived by her daughter Carol, her son-in law Barry and many beloved nieces and nephews as well Barrys two sons and their families in Vermont including the five perfect great-grandchildren.
Burial at Foster Cemetery in Topeka, KS
Family Members
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Minnie Burman Carris
1896–1956
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Harry Burman
1897–1966
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William Burman
1898–1965
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Fred N Burman
1900–1988
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Loretta Burman Myers
1903–1992
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Marjorie Burman Myers
1905–1987
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Florence Burman Ehrman
1907–1974
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Myrtle Burman Wangerin
1909–2001
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Dora Burman Ball
1913–1997
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Bessie Capitola Burman Bartlett
1917–1998
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