Helen Marie Burns

Helen Marie Burns, 86, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Helen was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on November 18,1939, to Martin and Lucille Vareberg

She married Eddie Burns January 9, 1959, while Eddie was stationed at Duluth AFB, Minnesota. During the 20 years Eddie was in the Air Force, they lived and served at Newfoundland, Hickman AFB in Hawaii, Little Rock AFB, Barksdale AFB, and Fairchild AFB. After Eddie's retirement from the Air Force, Helen and Eddie moved to Perham, MN to care for Helen’s parents. During the 26 years they lived in Perham, they managed the Perham Dairy Queen. After Helen’s parents passed, they moved to Casa Grande, Arizona to be closer to their granddaughter, Barbara Barnes, and her family. In 2015, Eddie passed away and Helen returned to Detroit Lakes.

She is survived by her daughter; Eddie Jean (Joe) Marhin, her granddaughter; Barbara (Marc) Barnes, and great-granddaughter; Ryleigh Barnes, her sisters; Lucille Ewals and Betty Wilson, brother; Roger Vareberg, sisters-in-law; Gladys (Norman) Vareberg and Diana (Marvin) Vareberg, and many nieces and nephews and good friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; Martin & Lucille Vareberg, and brothers; Norman Vareberg and Marvin Vareberg.

A Celebration of Life will be planned in the spring. 

Her humor and wit will be missed dearly by all.