Linda June Buriak

Linda June Buriak, age 79, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, surrounded by her family. She was born June 20, 1938, in Pickford, Michigan, to Harry Alvin and Hazel Emma (Hancock) Nettleton. Linda grew up on a farm in southwest Pickford and graduated from Pickford High School. She married George Buriak on June 22, 1963, and they made their home in the Algonquin area of Sault Ste. Marie. Many of her dearest friends were her neighbors on Chestnut Street. Linda worked for many years as a housekeeper at various motels, then at Tendercare nursing home in the laundry department, where she also forged deep friendships with co-workers. Linda was a gentle spirit who treasured time spent with family. She loved to spend time with George at their cabin in Pickford where she enjoyed walking in the woods and admiring the wild flowers…brown eyed susans and trilliums were her favorite, as well as the purple flag irises that grew alongside the lane at her childhood farm. Linda enjoyed solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed listening to a variety of musical genres. Black tea was Linda’s drink of choice from the time she was a young girl. Her grandchildren lovingly referred to her as their “tea granny” and she sipped on tea throughout her final days. Linda was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Sault Ste. Marie. She was very fond of her church family and they were very loving and supportive of her as her health declined and she was unable to attend church services. In her final days, her church family visited her at the hospital and sang to her the traditional hymns that she found so comforting. Linda is survived by her husband, George; daughter, Nancy Lynn Larsen of Sault Ste. Marie; sons, Michael George Buriak and Paul Alvin (Erin Pawlaski) Buriak, both of Brimley, Michigan; grandchildren, John “Jake” Larsen, Michael Buriak, Andrew Larsen, Hannah Pawlaski, and Trevor Buriak. She is also survived by two sisters, Charleen (Bill) North of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Colleen (Bob) Gawrylowicz of Caro, Michigan; nephew James (Meg) Hancock, and treasured nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by one brother, Frederick James Nettleton; infant daughter, Wendy Sue Buriak; and her parents, Harry and Hazel Nettleton. A memorial service will be held in the summer. Interment will be in Rockview Cemetery in Pick-ford, Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to the Pennington Home in Pickford, c/o SHSS, 1501 W. 6th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or the Pickford Historical Museum, P.O. Box 572, Pickford, MI 49774.

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Linda June Buriak

June 20, 1938 - February 6, 2018