Nelda Burns

Nelda Marie Burns was born on April 2, 1940 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  She passed from her family into the arms of her loving God on April 1, 2025.

She moved to Baker City, Oregon on her 5th birthday in 1945. 

Nelda attended grade school at North Baker Elementary, Junior High School in Baker as well. She rode the bus from Keating in her sophomore year and moved to Long Creek for Junior year and back to Baker High School for senior year.

Nelda married Elzie “George” Burns in 1958 and together they had four children; Rock, Kandi, Darrin and Renata.

Nelda worked for more than 30 years in the motel business in Pendleton OR, Boise ID and Baker City OR. She started in housekeeping, advanced to laundry, to desk clerk and eventually managed a small motel in Boise for four years. She then moved back to Baker City in 1992 and worked at Best Western, Oregon Trail, El Dorado Inn and Rodeway Inn and retired in 1995.

Nelda enjoyed crafts, crocheting, reading and walking but most of all, time spent with family and friends.  Nelda’s favorite poem was “Footprints in the Sand.”  Her favorite saying was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. She enjoyed the new hope that Spring brings to the earth. She loved meeting new people and was always loyal to her friends.

Nelda is survived by her sister Erma Wright of Baker City OR and her daughters; Kandi McLean of Emmett ID,  and Renata Burns of Pendleton OR as well as her sons; Rock Burns and his wife Michelle of St Louis, MO,  and Darrin Burns and his wife Nikki of Pendleton OR , 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces and nephews and extended  “adopted” family members and very close friends.

Preceded in death by her brothers; Elden Packer, Oral Packer and Arden Packer. Sisters; Opal Creger and Berniece Holden, and her mother Mabel Walters Packer and her father Arden Sharp "Bill" Packer.

She will greatly missed by many. Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation, may do so to the Smile Train or American Heart Association through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

                                         My Dearest Mother - written by son Darrin

                                              Without Thee, there is no me 

                                           Even before mine eyes could see. 

                                      And God formed me in the secret place 

                                       You loved me before you seen my face 

                                        And from then on you gave me grace, 

                                         To grow and learn and skin my knees 

                                     To always say thanks, and always please, 

                                          To humbly walk and weigh my words 

                                            And when I cried you always heard. 

                                                  A hug and bandaid when I fall 

                                           And if it’s not nice, say nothing at all. 

                                  When I grew up to be a man, you believed in me, 

                                                                 My biggest fan. 

                                               Life comes fast and lessons hard. 

                                                      Being rich, not in my cards. 

                                          But God gave me your abiding love, 

                                              And hope to always look above; 

                                     Hard work for pennies went hand in glove. 

                                       To watch you leave is such deep waters, 

                                     You loved us all, your sons and daughters, 

                                   You never favoured one more than the other; 

                                                My truly deep abiding mother. 

                                        It’s too big and deep, and I can’t swim, 

                                           I’m looking hard for strength within. 

                                               To watch you go tears me apart, 

                                     How someone so sweet can break my heart. 

                                       But you must go; your body’s broken, 

                                   The Spirit speaks; no more words spoken. 

                                      Wishes me no harm, as you rise above. 

                                   Don’t weep for me my daughters and sons, 

                                            My work for now on earth is done. 

                                            And leave this prison made of skin, 

                                          And leave this world held down by sin. 

                                  Reality has come, what we’ve always known, 

                                          This bird from prison bars has flown. 

                                       God is greater; He sees things straighter; 

                                                  Better to learn soon, not later. 

                                          “Fly sweet lady!” the angel cried aloud, 

                                              A mansion waits in Master’s house.