Jeanne Muriel Burman was born as the afternoon school bell tolled in Fennimore, Wisconsin on April 21, 1914. She was the only child of Joseph A and Hazel D. (Squire) Heberlein. Her father being of an entrepreneurial nature, moved the family often throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, California, and Minnesota. She spent many hours with her books and a bull dog in the backseat of a car. Her half-sister, Myrna, visited them frequently during her childhood as they were very close. Her baptism was in Tomah, Wisconsin at St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Maternal grandparents, Lynn B. and Jennie P. (Button) Squire were her sponsors. She was confirmed at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Madison, Wisconsin in 1926. Her religious training was very diversified, but never neglected. Jeanne attended high school in Cumberland, Wisconsin, River Falls, Wisconsin and was graduated from West High in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1932. She was involved in music, library, basketball, archery, golf, swimming and tennis. A love of sports would continue for a lifetime, being an avid Minnesota Gopher, Viking and Twins fan.
Jeanne became reacquainted with many friends from her childhood travels while attending the University of Minnesota. She enjoyed time as a member of a Methodist Sorority while there. She was graduated in 1936 and planned to teach English and Spanish and use her library training. Spending several summers at cottages in the Amery area, she made friends with members of the Burman family. She caught the eye of a promising attorney, Bill Burman. They were married September 18, 1936 at the Plymouth Congregational Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bill continued to practice law and also chose to partner with his brother John in the hardware/variety business that their father had originated in 1888. Jeanne stayed at home to raise four daughters. Despite being raised alone, she quickly became acclimated to her husband's relatives, living in the same block with four generations of them for 75 years. No easy feat for a girl who moved twenty times in the first twenty years of her life. Bill and Jeanne were very involved in politics throughout their married life. Bill ran for assembly and district attorney and was Justice of the Peace and Republican County chairman with Jeanne at his side.
She was active in many Congregational Church committees and women's fellowship, Girl Scouts, the Amery Golf Club, two bridge clubs, and the Amery Woman's Club. She has been a fervent supporter of the Amery Public Library since the 1930's. She was very spirited, well-dressed, and a good sport. Always proper, pleasant, and polite, Jeanne personified the word lady. Jeanne died at River Bend in Amery on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the age of 101.
Remaining to carry on her legacy are daughters: Pat Canham, Bobbi (Larry McVittie), Nancy (Tom) Olson, and Mary Burman. Grandchildren: Renita Deane, Bill Rutcosky, Brad (Sandi)Canham, Blake (Dana) Canham, the late Mark Thomas Olson, Stacy (George)Sigsworth, Craig Olson, Maria (Brent) Paulsen, Tony Burman-Loffredo, and Gino (Lori) Burman Loffredo. Great grandchildren: Brandon and Hunter Deanne, Sierra, Jac, and Eliina Canham, Cally and Ridge Sigsworth, Carter and Dillon Paulsen.


Funeral services will be held on Tuesday September 8, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Amery. There will be visitation at the funeral home on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.