Obituary

Alerita J. Burns
January 26, 1921--October 21, 2022 (age 101)

Alerita Josephine Burns, 101 died at her home in Pendleton, on Friday, October 21, 2022.

Alerita was born on January 26, 1921 in Condon, Oregon to Olin Vernon Reser and Mary Catherine (Greiner) Reser where she grew up on a wheat ranch with her brother Jack Reser. She graduated from Condon High School in 1938 and attended Oregon State College and graduated in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She then went into the Army during World War II and served as a Hospital Dietian and was a First Lieutenant at Camp Roberts, California.

After the war she married Charles John Burns on November 13, 1946 in Condon, Oregon. They moved to Hermiston and then to Pendleton in January 1949 to own and operate Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, which they did for 57 years. Alerita was a Oregon licensed funeral director. Alerita also consulted as a Registered Dietian for nursing homes and hospitals in the 1960s and early 1970s. Alerita and Charles had four children: Nancy, Bill, Eileen and Rita.

She volunteered in many organizations: Past-president of Altrusa International of Pendleton, American Association of University Women, Pendleton Woman's Club, Delphian Club and a member of Round-Up Republican Women. She was very active in St. Mary's Catholic Church until the last few years. She was First Citizen of Pendleton in 1983. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, crochet, knitting and reading.

She was preceded in death by, her husband, Charles J. Burns, 2008 and daughter Rita Burns, 2016.

She is survived by: daughters Nancy (Bill) Alsdurf, Bluffton, SC; Son, Bill (Betsy) Burns, Keizer, OR; daughter, Eileen Burns, Pendleton, OR; grandchildren, Charles (Abby) Alsdurf, Savannah, GA, Mamie Alsfurf, Snohomish, WA; Jonathan (Wendy) Burns, Tigard, OR, Joseph Burns, Austin, TX, Bill Alsdurf, Jr., Bend, OR, Brady Alsfurf, Seattle, WA, Doug Scott, Redding, CA; great-grandchildren, Evis Custer, Isla Custer and Camila Rosita Burns. Numerous nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to: St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Andrews Mission, Altrusa, PO Box 1735, Pendleton, Oregon or a charity or organization of your choice. Recitation of the Rosary, Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, Chapel, 7:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Catholic Church of St. Mary, 800 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton. Burial will follow at Olney Cemetery, Pendleton.
Vault interment Olney Cemetery with Military Honors.