LouAnn Carr

Sharon LouAnn (Burkinshaw) Carr was born November 6, 1935, in Burke, SD to Ivan and AnnaBell (Sherwood) Burkinshaw. She passed away on October 29, 2023 at the age of 87. LouAnn was brought home from Burke to join siblings Delores, Evonne, and Gerald at home. Eight years later, the family was completed with youngest brother, Harold. Much of LouAnn’s early life was spent in the eastern end of Keya Paha County. Specifically, the Burkinshaws resided in Brocksburg, and LouAnn attended county grade schools growing up. Traveling to and from school on the back of a skittish horse was a daily adventure. As a result, LouAnn did not develop a love for horses from this experience.

Living along the Keya Paha River meant that hot summer days sometimes included a swim. Brocksburg must have been the place where LouAnn learned that it was absolutely against the “Law of God” to swim before an hour had passed after eating. Children were not quite sure what would happen if that law was broken, but they were assured the results would be catastrophic. LouAnn’s earliest summers were spent living with her grandmother (“Granny”) at Randolph, NE. However, by the time she was nine, she was already needed for work at home. At this age she was kept busy cleaning the house and cooking meals for the hayfield crew.

LouAnn entered the halls of Keya Paha County High School in the fall of 1949. LouAnn graduated with the class of ‘53. She loved to dance, and stated that “They didn’t have sports for girls when I was in school, so dancing was my activity.” This love continued throughout her life. A Saturday evening itinerary would often include watching Lawrence Welk, and attending a Norden Dance. In later years, Dancing with the Stars was watched regularly and followed by a conversation with Debbie to break down the weekly action.

LouAnn also loved other activities that involved music. She had a beautiful soprano voice that she loved to share. She was always a member of the United Methodist Church Choir. Special music events like Easter Cantatas and Christmas programs were rehearsed for hours and LouAnn loved every minute. She was often asked to sing solos for weddings, funerals, and other events for many years and enjoyed those opportunities almost as much as her audiences delighted in them.

While in high school, LouAnn met Jack Carr. Jack and LouAnn were married on May 7, 1952, and eventually settled on the ranch several miles east of Norden. There they raised four children, Debbie, Jacque, Jeff and Michael. Seventeen years separated the oldest and the youngest, meaning that Jack and LouAnn had children in the county school system for 30 years.

LouAnn loved to work. In fact, work was her main hobby. She always said she enjoyed washing windows. If she was eating a meal with you, she would have the dishes stacked and washed before you were up from the table. She not only kept a spectacularly clean house, she also raised chickens to clean, packed freezers full of sweet corn, canned, and helped in the hayfield early on by running the team of horses that was used to stack hay. This latter activity surprised her younger children because as LouAnn got older she tried to stay out of the sun. She usually ran to the clothes line and back to avoid the negative effects of sunlight. She also insisted that an umbrella be put on the tractor before she allowed Jacque to work in the hayfield. Even with the umbrella, Jacque had to be wrapped like a mummy and topped with a sombrero before venturing out to work. Her skin was thus, (in LouAnn’s opinion) adequately protected.

LouAnn worked in the home for many years, but an outside job was eventually required. She began working part time at the Village Variety Store before deciding to find a full time job. One day while getting gas, she decided to go inside and tell Gary Ross that he needed her to do his bookwork. She was hired and worked at the Red Arrow Service Station for 17 years. She also worked at the Turbine Mart and the Springview Library, but the job she loved most was at Springview Grade School as a Teachers Aide. She retired from the grade school in 2019 at the age of 83! Oftentimes these jobs overlapped. Many days LouAnn worked at the school all day and followed that by working at the Turbine Mart until it closed. She did this well into her 70’s.

Family would agree that Grandma Lou was an awesome cook. Oven steak and rice pudding were usually sent home with family after a visit. Butterscotch and Chocolate dessert were looked forward to at every holiday. Her barbecue baked beans with bacon, was a staple at almost every Springview Golf Course event for over 40 years.

LouAnn was married to Jack Carr for 49 years. During his battle with cancer she faithfully took care of him at home until his passing in 2001. With Jack and later, on her own, LouAnn attended many activities of children and grandchildren. She did not love driving home after dark, but loved being there. She especially loved going to band and chorus concerts. Going to watch Prom Grand March every year to see the dresses was also a must. Afterward, she would report many of the outfits were “Pretty Ritzy.”

Life has its ups and downs. And, like everyone, Mom had her share. She always tried to see the bright side of every struggle, but Mom was truly heartbroken when she lost valued friend and neighbor Arlene Gierau in 2019. Among other things, Arlene and LouAnn shared morning coffee for over 50 years, a void not easily filled. However, she and Arlene are probably pouring a cup to talk about it now.

LouAnn was loved and respected by all who knew her and was known for her infectious smile and the twinkle in her eye. She believed there was a reason for everything, and in the last few weeks she reminded us repeatedly that God always has a plan and that God had a plan for her. She knew that Jesus was her salvation and that He was about to call her home.

LouAnn was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Delores and Gerald; and her husband, Jack.

She is survived by daughters, Debra (Paul) Mendez of Hiawatha, KS, and Jacque (Russ) Richey of Springview, NE; sons, Jeff (Amy) Carr of Hot Springs, SD, and Michael (Stacey) Carr of Philadelphia, PA; sister, Evonne Heerman; brother, Harold (Patsy) Burkinshaw; eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Springview Methodist Church with Pastor Jenice Epp officiating at the service. The vocal selection “When I Get Where I’m Going” was sung by Misty Wroblewski, accompanied by Rick Nelson. The hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden” were sung by the congregation. The obituary was read by Jeff Carr. Casketbearers were Darcy Zimmerman, Ryan Richey, Casey Carr, Jesse Carr, Eli Carr and Keegan Carr. Honorary Casketbearers were Lindsay Druba, Misty Wroblewski, Jessica Mendez, Ellie Dickerson and Riley Wolles. Interment followed in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview. Memorials were suggested to the family in LouAnn’s name for a future designation. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.