Elizabeth "Betty" (Sexton) Burnham

Elizabeth "Betty" (Sexton) Burnham, age 94, of Port Charolette Florida, formerly of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully in the presence of her beloved family on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Betty on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with a time of gathering from 9:30-10:45 AM, at St. Michael Catholic Church (16400 Duluth Avenue SE) in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. A private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, MN.

Mass will be livestreamed at the following link: Betty Burnham Mass.

Elizabeth Lucille, affectionately known as Betty, was born on January 21, 1931, in St. Paul, MN, as the third of nine children to Christopher and Margaret (Cafferty) Sexton. She grew up in North Minneapolis, where her family was deeply involved in the Ascension Catholic Church community. Betty graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1950.

Betty married Donald Roger Burnham on July 12, 1952, at Ascension Church. They settled down in Coon Rapids, MN, before moving to Prior Lake in 1960. Betty devoted her life to raising her children, Sherrie, Pat, Linda, and Vickie. Unfortunately, she experienced the deep loss of her son Mark at four days old on September 3, 1965. Don worked for the airlines, allowing the kids’ Christmas presents often to be a vacation somewhere in the United States. Betty loved lake life, and all the activities that went with the day adventures.

After high school, Betty worked a couple of years at Northern States Power, before spending most of her career at Control Data. Even after Control Data, she remained active in the community working part time for a realty company in Prior Lake.

Betty and Don spent thirty years in Port Charlotte during the winter months. Here, she formed many lifelong friendships through activities like playing cards, Monday lunches, and Thursday happy hours at the club house. Betty and Don loved dancing and Sunday gatherings with neighbors. She cherished reading, bowling, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, and shopping was Betty’s therapy. She loved knitting blankets, potholders, baby blankets and even a sweater or two for special people in her life . She loved the holidays and became an exceptional baker and cook. Betty loved to travel with Don, kids and also with her sisters.

Betty was known for her famous line, "I am still the mother." She possessed a strong will and a quiet faith, providing unwavering support and love to those around her. Betty cherished her role as the neighborhood mom, always welcoming everyone with an open door. She was a people person who loved social gatherings but also enjoyed her quiet moments. Punctual and dedicated, Betty was the heart of many events and gatherings.

Continuing the legacy of Betty and who will forever love her are daughters, Sherrie (Joe) Eidem, Linda (Mark) Danes, Vickie Burnham; sisters, Peggy Stasson, Mary Jo (John) Knabe; sister-in-law, JoAnn Sexton; Zoe' the comfort cat; other relatives and friends.

Greeting Betty home in Heaven is her husband, Don; son, Pat; infant son, Mark; parents, Christopher and Margaret Sexton; siblings, Jim (Colleen) Sexton, Bill (Bev) Sexton, Jack Sexton, Rita (Dan) Macko, Gus (Dodie) Sexton, Mike Sexton and brother-in-law, Dick Stasson.