Alexis M. Burns
Alexis M. Burns, 66, of Prairie du Chien passed away Wednesday, June 15, at the Mayo Franciscan Health Center in La Crosse.
She was born April 21, 1950 in Wheeling, Ill. the daughter of James and June (Huecker) Burns. In her younger years she enjoyed the outdoors with camping, canoeing, hiking and snowmobiling. She enjoyed traveling especially out west. An adventurous spirit prompted her to move to Arizona and she studied at Arizona State University focusing on arts and crafts. She moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family.
Alexis was an artist in many areas. She loved China painting and working with clay on the potters wheel and hand sculpturing clay. Alexis was awarded Popular Ceramics Highest Award for Professional Creative Effort in Hobby Ceramics two times. Also she received Ceramic World’s Judges Award. She enjoyed teaching ceramics and getting her students enthused. Her family has many treasured pieces that she made. With her finished pieces she was accepted as a vendor at the World Dairy Expo, in Madison. She received awards for her creations. She judged at several ceramic shows including that division at the Grant County Fair, Lancaster. Alexis and her sister, Theresa had a ceramic studio in Platteville, called Kiln Kreations. While in Platteville she attended UW-Platteville studying art and geology.
Alexis raised and showed Maine Coon cats. She loved the little kittens and matching them with the perspective family. She rescued many other cats. She also had a Border Collie, named Gem who helped her understand dogs better. Alexis worked at Tender Care Animal Hospital, Prairie du Chien, for sixteen years.
Alexis was an artist with food too, but also held a Food Manager Certificate from the state of Wisconsin. She worked at the Isle of Capri Restaurant in Marquette, Iowa. She created specialty delicacies for their buffet. Baking cookies was her forte. She baked thousands of cookies to help with fund raising for the Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter. Alexis researched heritage Irish foods and prepared those for her sister’s Victorian picnic class at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic.
She also took to sewing and creating quilts. Many were donated to fund raising projects and gifts to friends.
Alexis had a great sense of humor, a genuine smile and a warm generous heart. She loved interacting with people and helping them. She loved repaying favors done to her with dozens of cookies or delicious soups.
Surviving are her sister Theresa Burns (Harley Weyer) Perry, Iowa; her niece Nicole McDonald (Tim), Mineral Point; a nephew, Matthew Burns, Ogdensburg.
The family is greatly indebted to Cindy Spiker, Alexis’s best friend who was always there for Alexis especially during her illness.
Alexis is preceded in death by her mother and father June R. and James J. Burns; her brother Daniel G. Burns, and nephew Daniel J. Burns.
A memorial visitation will be held June 29, at the Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien from 4 to 7 p.m. Inurnment will be in the Charlotte Cemetery in Glen Haven. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter, PO Box 42, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821.
