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Marie W. Burns was born February 6, 1917 to the late Viola and John Nawratil, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Her parents moved here with her siblings to attempt to cure her father's tuberculosis. Unfortunately, her father died prior to her birth. She attended grade schools in Las Vegas, and the Sisters of Loretta School in Bernalillo, NM, and completed high school in Harrisburg, Illinois. She returned to Las Vegas in 1934, and was employed by New Mexico Power Company, Agua Pura Division, until her marriage in 1937 to John M. Burns. She was employed as a cashier at Montgomery Ward during World War II, and then started work at The Bank of Las Vegas as a secretary in 1953. She was Senior Vice President and Secretary to the Board of Directors, as well as Assistant Secretary to the Las Vegas Bancorporation, when she retired on January 10, 2002 after more than 49 years. She was then named to the Bank's Board of Directors. She was a long time member of the New Mexico Bankers Association, serving during part of the time as Vice President to Group II. Her non-career activities in support of her husband and son included helping Mother's Groups for Las Vegas' first organized summer youth basketball leagues- first in Little League and then Little Bigger League a year later. She and her husband followed and assisted with American Legion baseball and the local Merchants team in support of their son. She was a member for more than 50 years of American Legion Auxiliary No. 24, and a 40-year member and officer for the local Naomi Rebekah Lodge, holding its highest office for part of that time. In support of her husband, she was a member of the New Mexico Fireman's Auxiliary where she attained the First Vice President and President's positions. Her father died in 1917; mother in 1961, brother, John in 1979; sister, Edith Barila in 1973; and husband, John in 1987. She is survived by her son, John Burns of Las Vegas NM; sister-in-law, Ruby Nawratil Waldo of Las Vegas, Nevada; niece Viola Barila Baker and husband, Henry of Moriarty, NM; nieces and nephews, Rebecca Gardinier, Nerissa, Thomas, and John W. Nawratil, Jr., all of Las Vegas, Nevada; many relatives from her husband's large family in Jetmore, Kansas; and grandson Raul Aragon. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Las Vegas, NM. Cremation has taken place. Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, July 9, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rogers Chapel, 600 Reynolds Avenue, Las Vegas, NM with the Rev. Bill Ware officiating. Her cremains will be interred with her husband, John, at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rogers Mortuary, Las Vegas, NM, 1-800-479-3511 or 505-425-3511.
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