Marilla E. Burch, age 97, of St. Peter, died on Monday, February 18, 2013, at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter, Minnesota.
Marilla was born in Hazen, North Dakota to Reverend Philip and Alta Fink on April 19, 1915. After graduating from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, she taught Music and English in Clemons and Aplington, Iowa. While teaching, she married Donald E. Burch on June 15, 1941. They taught school before moving to St. Peter, Minnesota in 1952, where they owned Burch's Shoe Store.
Marilla was a member of Union Presbyterian Church, an active member in the Women's Association, the church organist for many years, and served on numerous committees. For many years, she taught piano to many students in her home. She was a 50 year member of the PEO Sisterhood Chapter CN. She volunteered at the Health Care Center, the St. Peter Food Shelf, and she and Don were named Outstanding Citizens of Nicollet County in 1998.
Marilla is survived by her son Bradley (Jane), Omaha, NE; grandchildren; Paul (Laura) Burch, Omaha, NE. and Sara (Al) Lown, Omaha, NE; 3 great-grandchildren Henry and Sabrina Burch; Kayleigh Lown. She is also survived by sister-in-laws Betty Burch of Avon Park, Florida and Mary Lou Burch of Landrum, South Carolina; many nieces, nephews and their families. Special family members Cindy Medel of San Diego, California and her children: Jon Medel of Sandiego and Jonnifer McGarvey of IN ; Dr. Laurens Vlasveld of Holland.
Marilla was preceded in death by her husband Donald E. Burch, daughter Lesley Joan, two brothers John and Paul Fink and Foreign Exchange Student, Clod Medel of the Philippines.
A Memorial Services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Union Presbyterian Church. Memorials can be made to Union Presbyterian Church, 730 South Third Street, St. Peter, MN. 56082 or Benedictine Living Community, 1907 Klein Street, St. Peter, MN. 56082.