Alta M Burns

At the age of 93, our beloved Mom suffered a massive stroke Thanksgiving night and passed on November 27th.  Born in St Joseph, MO to Bill Malson and Leona Garner Malson, she moved out West with her parents and siblings as a youngster, living in Twin Falls and Ontario and settling in Boise in her late teens. 

In 1948, she married Frank Williams, following a whirlwind courtship.  In the later years of their marriage, they worked side by side into the late night when Dad started his own electrical contracting business and Mom was his only “employee”. They had four children and were together until 1960, when he passed away tragically at Christmas. Their only son (Charlie) an infant at the time, passed a few short months later.

In 1963, Mom was married for a second time to Melvin Burns, a career enlisted man in the USAF. She and her girls traveled with Mel when he was moved from Mountain Home to duty stations in TN and HI.  She and Mel were married twelve years when he also passed away tragically in the month of December.  

Mom was a devoted Mother; a loving wife; a caring sister and daughter; and the friend and relative who was always there for you.  After marrying for the first time, she worked brief stints in retail and hospitality to earn money for the first TV and gifts for the children, but primarily worked the home front caring for and catering to her family. Mom was the first one to volunteer for the PTA, run the school carnival and be on call as the limo driver for school and sporting events.  

In addition to her family and friends, Mom loved dogs and flowers and cooking. She was well known for her cowboy cookies and homemade pickles!  She lived in Boise, Nampa and Eagle, spending her last several years at Edgewood Spring Creek where the caring and nurturing staff looked after her and her little dog Daisy.  The Edgewood staff talked a lot about her loving nature, cheerful disposition and very special bear hugs.  The family owes a debt of gratitude to each of them and to All Care Hospice over the last year and most especially during the last thirty hours she was with us. 

Mom was predeceased by her parents, both husbands, her beloved sister Mary, her brother Lloyd and her infant son. Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Carol Lomicka (Bill), Debi Lutz and Cyndi Williams (Mike Diehl).  She is survived by two grandchildren, Billy Williams and Cyndi Dawn Williams and great grandchild, Jareth Williams.  She is also survived by her brother, Tom Malson, and brother-in-law, Chuck Simpson. 

Mom’s loving heart and large spirit will forever remain in our hearts.  Services will be at Cloverdale Funeral Home on Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m. with interment immediately following.