Mary Ann (Wenaas) Burns

Mary Ann (Wenaas) Burns, 81, of Livingston, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016 after an extended illness. She was home with her loving family by her side. Cremation has taken place at the Franzen-Davis Crematory. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held, 1:00 P.M., Saturday, January 16, at the Franzen- Davis Chapel, (118 North 3rd Street, Livingston) with Father Navil Rodrguez of St. Marys Catholic Church as Celebrant. Reception and further celebration of Mary Anns life will follow the service at the Livingston Elks Lodge 246, 130 South 2nd Street, Livingston. Memorials are preferred to: Livingston HealthCare, Home Care and Hospice, 320 Alpenglow Lane, Livingston; MT 59047; Stafford Animal Shelter, 3 Business Park Dr; Livingston, MT 59047 or the Shriners of Billings, 1125 Broadwater Ave; Billings, MT 59102. Mary Ann was born on December 10th, 1934, in Oakland, California. She was the daughter of Norwin and Mary (McGuire) Wenaas. As a youth the family settled in Livingston as her mother transferred to Livingston with the Northern Pacific Railroad. She received her education in Livingston and attended Park County High School. Mary Ann Wenaas was united in marriage to Robert F. "Bob" Burns on November 9th, 1953. This marriage was blessed with four children, Mary, Barbara, Robbie and Annette. Mary Ann and Bob resided in Livingston. In the early 1960s they went into business, purchasing "The Sport" and refurbishing it from a Burgers and card playing joint to a fine Mexican Restaurant and Bar that also offered Steaks and Seafood. Mary Ann was a wonderful hostess and a fine waitress bartender. After selling the Sport in the early seventies, Bob and Mary Ann bought The Black Cat. Quickly changing the name to the "Wrangler" and making it into a wonderful live music venue. Mary Ann is well known and respected for her beautiful, classy and calming nature in which she perfected the Bouncer position and being labeled as the "Beautiful Lady with the great big flashlight". She was fantastic at her jobs and people skills and loved by many. She truly was a very caring, loving woman that made everyone feel special. After selling the Wrangler in the mid 1980s, Mary Ann went to work for Brand S Logging Company. She was in the Scale Shack in charge of weighing logging trucks. After that job ended she went to work at the Pamida Pharmacy as a Pharmaceutical Tech until her retirement. Mary Ann and Bob shared 53 years of marriage, prior to Bobs death on November 11th, 2006. Mary Ann was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandma. She may have formerly retired at one point but she never did slow down. She was constantly caring for family, friends and neighbors. Mary Ann always had an open invite to her daily, wonderful lunches at her home. She also loved to bake for her family and friends and enjoyed every minute of it. Mary Ann loved her "park" like yards, which was kept meticulous with such care and dedication. She worked hard, loving every minute she could be outside working her flower beds, mowing her yards, trimming trees, burning the wood pile, picking rocks and fixing sprinklers. She kept bird feeders full, enjoying identifying the different species that would visit. She had other visitors as well, deer, bears, ducks and even the occasional moose. They were all welcome friends to her. She enjoyed many varieties of music that she loved to sing along with. She was such a fun woman whom everyone seemed to gravitate to. Her presence was calm, classy and full of love for all. She not only cared for her family but the neighborhood and beyond. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends. Mom, we are glad that you now have peace, you will be greatly missed but know you will be in our hearts forevermore. Blessed be her memory. Mary Ann is survived by her: Children, Mary Ziegler and husband Dean of Livingston; Barbara Burns of Livingston; Robbie Burns and wife, Lisa of Belgrade and Annette Burns and husband, Geoff Harvey of Livingston. Grandchildren, Aza Ziegler and wife Holli, Alex and Abram Ziegler, Courtney Rusk and his partner Tanya, Jillian Dewine and husband, Jeff, Leanne Sudbeck and wife, Diane Gracey, Tyler Burns and fiance, Ali Cygan and Corey G. Lewis. Great-grandchildren, Alanis, Preston, Adalae, Ivy, Remi, Hannah and Lauren. Sister-in-law, Marilyn Sullivan and husband Zane of Missoula. Nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Norwin and Mary Wenaas, Husband, Bob in 2006 and Brothers, Norm and Tom Wenaas. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.