Karl F. Burns Jr., age 94, of Gardner, ND, died Sunday, March 28, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley. 
Dr. Karl F. Burns Jr., age 94, of Gardner, ND, died Sunday, March 28, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley. The family is so thankful for Hospice and the prayers of friends and family throughout this time.
Karl Fetterolf Burns Jr. was born on July 23, 1926, to Karl F. Burns Sr. and Martha (Canon) Burns in Cleveland, OH. Karl spent his early years in Pittsburg, OH, before moving with his family to Mansfield, OH, and later Cuyahoga Falls, OH. He loved summers at the family farm in Pennsylvania. They later relocated to Hudson, OH where Karl graduated from Hudson High School. Following his graduation, Karl joined the United States Navy on June 7, 1944. Karl served as a signalman on the USS Carteret a troop transport through the Pacific Ocean during WWII. He was even sent onshore at Iwo Jima to signal to the ship, witnessing the raising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi. After his honorable discharge in 1946, Karl enrolled in Kent State earning his undergraduate degree in three short years. Furthering his education, Karl started medical school at the University of Cincinnati where he earned his Doctorates Degree in Medicine. Karl married Janie Lawhorn and they were blessed with two sons, Whit and Grant. They moved to Virginia for Karl to complete his first two years of residency. He then returned to the Akron, OH area serving his family practice residency at the Akron People’s Hospital. He worked in Sharon Center even doing house calls, then at Copley Medical Group before he branched off to solo practice in Copley in 1975. On January 12, 1975, Karl was united in marriage to Dorothy (Phillips) Lepp and they made their home in Copley, OH. Karl welcomed Jim, Laura, and Beth into his family, loving them as his own children. They completed their family together with the birth of two more children, Bruce and Kelly. They moved to a farm in Medina, OH, and raised Christmas trees and horses. Karl and Dorothy operated the family practice clinic together until Karl retired at the age of 77. He continued to work part-time and loved helping at the Medical School both in Ohio and then in Grand Forks after they purchased a hobby farm in Gardner, ND; where they have lived since. Karl loved the prairie and often remarked it looked like he owned 1,000 acres instead of just 10.
Karl loved serving people and truly enjoyed being a doctor. He also had a passion for the outdoors. His heart was drawn to the water and he went sailing as often as possible. Karl loved playing tennis, so much so, he built a tennis court just outside of his practice to use in his downtime. He also enjoyed traveling, hiking, eating and gathering with friends, and visiting grandkids. Karl and his family enjoyed Iwo Jima Survivor Reunions in Wichita Falls, Texas through the years. Even into his late 70’s, Karl eagerly hiked part of the Appalachian Trail. In his later years, he liked tending to and driving their horses and working outside on the “farm.” He spent many hours mowing the lawn on his John Deere Tractor, later teaching his grandson to do the same. Karl loved visiting, watching politics, reading stories, cuddling with the grandchildren, and conversations with his family. He remained an active part of the Lutheran church throughout his adult life.
Karl is survived by his children: Whit Burns of Attica, MI; Grant (Amy) Burns of Punta Gorda, FL; Jim (Kim) Lepp of Cumming, GA; Laura (John) Lepp-Ferrell of Diamond, OH; Bruce Burns of Coon Rapids, MN; Kelly (John) Ahola of Gardner, ND; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: two siblings: Dr. Robert Burns and Martha Suzanne Wynhoff; one daughter, Beth McCaskill; and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held for family and close friends at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at Scandia Lutheran Church, Averill, MN, rural Glyndon, MN. Visitation will take place one hour before the service at the church. For those not able to attend in person, Karl’s service will be recorded and available for viewing here shortly after the funeral.
Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate.
