Joyce Burr

Joyce Ann Melk Burr was born December 26, 1945 in Bottineau, North Dakota and died peacefully at home after a long illness on November 23, 2003. Funeral services will be 11 a. m. ct, Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at Twin Buttes Memorial Hall, Twin Buttes. Interment will be in Burr Family Cemetery, rural Twin Buttes. Born to Ernestine (McCloud) and Ben Melk, she spent her early years with her parents, sister, Joan and brothers, John and Ben Jr. as her father worked construction. Joyce was Oglala Sioux (Father) and Turtle Mountain Chippewa (Mother). Joyce entered Wahpeton Indian School at five years of age and left there to attend Flandreau High School where she graduated. During her lifetime she earned a bachelor?s degree in elementary education, a master?s degree in educational administration and completed the course work for her Ph. D. During a working career that began in the 60?s, she was a special education teacher, classroom teacher, curriculum developer, school principal and superintendent. Joyce also had a TV career as a producer and anchor in Michigan, ?Growing Tree?, ?Ojibway Issues? in Bemidji, MN, and ?Native Voices? for PBS in Fargo, ND. She also co-authored a book for children titled ?The Mouse Raid. ? Joyce is survived by: her husband, Dennis, Grand Forks; daughter, Kandi, Grand Forks; four sons, Tom, Bemidji, Minn. , Robert, Twin Buttes, Wayne, Bismarck, Russell, Fargo; one brother, John Melk, Phoenix, Ariz, and seven grandchildren. She also leaves behind the Burr families and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by: her parents, one brother, one sister, one son and one daughter.


Burial Date: November 26, 2003
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Wednesday, Twin Buttes Memorial Hall