Chareen Kensil

Chareen M. "Char" Burns, age 78, of Walker , lost her brief battle with cancer on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 at home surrounded by her family. The daughter of George & Helen Kensil, she was born on Dec. 19, 1931 in Grand Rapids. Char was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, as well as a friend to many. After retiring from Standale Hi Tone Cleaners, she touched many lives as a volunteer for Walker Police Deprartment. In 2006 she was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Her family and her volunteer work were the highlights of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert J. Burns; and two brothers, Stuart and Merle Kensil. Surviving are her children, Dan (Sally) Burns of Marne, John (Anna) Burns of Pearland, Texas, Tammie Burns, and Brenda Burns-Ottenwess, both of Grand Rapids; 10 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Patricia) Kensil; two sisters, Peg Larabel and Jean (Ben) Shawa; a sister-in-law, Kathy Kensil; six other siblings-in-law; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. The family wishes to extend their special thanks to the Walker Police Department and the community of Walker for their help and support, especially the recent benefit they hosted for Char. A celebration of Chareen's life will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. at Lincoln Country Club, 3485 Lake Michigan Drive. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place. Instead of flowers, Char would have appreciated contributions in her memory to Hospice of Michigan (www.HoM.org). To sign Char's online guest book, share a favorite memory, or to send a message of sympathy to the family, please click the "Sign Guest Book" link above. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Chareen Kensil, please visit our flower store.