Velma Jean Burns (Dutton) (Shultz)

Velma Burns, 84, died November 30, 2024, in Keene, Johnson County, Texas.

Velma Jean Dutton was born January 7, 1940, in Greenfield, Monroe County, Wisconsin, to Roy and Gwendolyn (Lemon) Dutton. It was always special to her to have been born on the extended family homestead known as Lemon Valley. She was the oldest of five children, and their family lived mainly in Wisconsin and Michigan. She attended Hylandale Academy (Wisc.), graduated from Adelphian Academy (Mich.), and attended Union College (Nebr). 

 In July 19, 1959, Velma married Alfred Shultz in Holly, Michigan. They moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1961, where Alfred served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for many years as an accountant and five years as a pastor in towns across Kansas. Velma found it challenging to be a pastor’s wife with four young children, but with her upbeat personality she threw herself into the role. However, she was happy when he was transferred back to the administrative office in Topeka and the family could settle down. Nevertheless, they divorced after 27 years of marriage. Velma then married Kenneth “Curly” Burns on December 28, 1987, and they lived a quiet, rural life near Topeka for 24 years until Curly’s death in 2012. 

Velma subsequently moved to Katy, Texas, to live with her daughter Carol’s family. She moved with them to Lafayette, Indiana, in 2013, and then to Keene, Texas, in 2015. 

 Throughout her life Velma was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, leading children’s classes, providing music, and serving as church secretary. Once her children were in school, she was employed outside the home in various capacities, including assistant cook for a daycare, childcare attendant for a church nursery, and crew member for Wendy’s restaurant. For as long as she was able, she considered it a treat to go to Wendy’s. 

Velma enjoyed sewing, singing, and helping others. She was the ultimate encourager and quick to say, “I love you.” Her view of a successful life was to take everything to God and strive to be ready for Jesus’ return. She talked often about how wonderful heaven will be, to see Jesus and loved ones. 

Predeceasing Velma were her parents and both husbands. Survivors include her descendants: daughters Carol Allred of Keene and Myrna Carpenter of Tacoma, Washington; sons Joseph Shultz of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jonathan Shultz of Denver, Colorado; granddaughters Mackenzee Shultz and Logan Shultz; grandsons Gus Axelson and Jakob Crays; and great-granddaughters Katarina, Daphne, and Raffiella. Also her siblings: Ken Dutton (Helen), Joy Alger (Gary), Carolyn Bell (Danny), and Patty Schnoor (Dana); extended Lemon and Dutton relatives; sister-in-law Rose Shultz Binder and the Shultz clan; step-daughter Kathy Kaesewurm (Danny) along with three step-granddaughters and their offspring; and friends from neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and celiac support groups, as well as some former classmates who kept in touch till the end. 

There will be a viewing Monday, January 6. 2025, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne funeral home in Cleburne, Texas and a funeral service will be held at the same location on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  Memorial gifts will be accepted at the Celiac Disease Foundation www.celiac.org and the Alzheimer's Association www.act.alz.org.