Burton Lamont Ash

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Ash, Burton Lamont Age 91, of Coon Rapids, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2015. He was born to Clara Arneson Ash & William Ash on July 8, 1923 in Butler (Day County) South Dakota. He grew up in neighboring Bristol and fondly recalled being a projectionist at the Bristol Theater where he ran 'Gone With the Wind'! He enlisted in the US Army in September 1942 with the 418th Bomb Squadron and was stationed in Norwich, England. He was an air traffic controller at the airfield there until December 23rd, 1945. After the war, he moved to Minneapolis and attended Dunwoody Institute where he studied sheet metal, becoming a proud union sheet metal worker. Burton married Doris Elizabeth Roche on May 26th, 1948 in Farmington, Minnesota. They lived in Minneapolis until 1957 when they moved to Coon Rapids. He got the aviation 'bug' and took flying lessons in the early 1960's. Eventually he joined the Civil Air Patrol and obtained his instrument rating. Burt loved airplanes. If he wasn't at home with his family, he was at Wold-Chamberlain or the Anoka County Airport, often just watching the planes take off & land. Burt was a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh. even as his dementia worsened he could still get a laugh from the wonderful staff at Epiphany Memory Care unit. They affectionately referred to him as 'Burt the Squirt'. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Ivan, Lillian Nigro, Henry, Muriel Tangvold, and Lyle. His step father, Andrew Vaardahl also preceded him in death. Burt is survived by Doris, his wife of 66 years; sons Gary (Sheryl Lockwood) & Richard (Lisa); 7 grandchildren Heather, Christopher, Megan, Jennifer, Jordan, Lindsey, & Logan; and 11 great grandchildren. Burt was a good man, a wonderful father, and husband. He will be missed. Interment Epiphany Cemetery. Funeral Service Wednesday, April 8th, 1 PM , with a visitation one hour before at: Washburn-McReavy.com Coon Rapids Chapel 763-767-1000 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd NW

Published on April 5, 2015