Blaine Joseph Burns

Blaine J. Burns, 57, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away unexpectedly on April 3^rd, 2024, at Altru Hospital surrounded by family and friends. 

Blaine was born to Marvin and Shirley Burns on June 12^th, 1966, in Grafton, North Dakota. He was the youngest of their seven children. Growing up Blaine enjoyed being outdoors, cars, and working with his hands. After graduating from Grafton high school in 1984 Blaine joined the Army National Guard and attended NDSCS and received his welding certification. In 1989 he started working as a welder/ fabricator at Mayo Manufacturing. He later had two children, Samantha born in 1995, and Faith born in 1996. He later married the mother of his children Shammie Gray in 2000. In 2001, Blaine and Shammie moved to Colorado where he spent the next nine years of his life. He moved back to North Dakota in December of 2009. He began working at Mayo Manufacturing as a team lead, a job he held and cherished for 26 years. 

Of the many titles Blaine held in his lifetime, “Dad” and “Papa” were his favorite. He not only was an amazing father to his daughters, but a great father figure to many of their friends growing up as well. Blaine loved being a grandpa and spending time with his two grandsons Abel and Weston in one of his favorite places, his garage. Blaine loved rock climbing in his Jeep Wrangler in Moab, Utah and any other place he could find. Some of Blaine’s favorite activities included: going on Harley rides with his friends and tinkering with his motorcycle, participating in motorcycle runs for charity and going to car shows. Blaine not only was an amazing father and grandfather but one of the best friends a person could have. He was caring, kind, compassionate, giving, and one of the most reliable people around. Blaine will be greatly missed by many people.

Blaine is survived by his daughter, Samantha (Sean) Gangelhoff and his grandchildren Abel and Weston Gangelhoff. He is also survived by his sister Gay (Tom) Bohnet, brothers George “Buzz” (Mary) Burns, Todd (Traci) Burns, Marty Burns, and his sisters-in-laws, Terry Burns, Cindy Burns and Debbie French. 

Blaine was proceeded in death by his daughter Faith Burns, his parents, Marvin and Shirley Burns; two brothers, Gary Burns and Lon Burns and one niece, Allison Burns.

Blaine’s family will hold funeral services on Friday, April 12^th, 2024, at 1pm at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  A private interment will take place in Crystal, ND at a later date.