Carolyn Alice (Reed) Burger
Marriages
Bob Burger - August 17, 1974
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 8C - October 22, 2023
Carolyn Burger was a beloved wife, momma, grandma, sister, sister-in-law,
aunt, cousin, teacher and
friend.
She had a smile that lit up
the room. She didn’t greet
people with a handshake,
she greeted them with a hug.
She loved you as soon as
she met you. Her love was
genuine and unconditional.
Carolyn never judged anyone. She saw the best in people.
She never missed an opportunity to tell people she loved
them. If you loved Carolyn, she loved you back, and you
knew it.
Carolyn spent 20 years teaching 3rd, 4th and 5th grades
at Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School. Her students
loved her, and she loved them. She inspired many of them to
become teachers. She kept in touch with her students, offering advice and encouragement through the years and later
attending their high school graduations, bridal and baby
showers and weddings. She was an extraordinary teacher.
In 2001 she was named Colorado’s nominee for the prestigious National Education Association Foundation Award
for Teaching Excellence.
Carolyn was born in New York City to Ruby Ione
McQueen and John Reed. She grew up in San Leandro, CA.
As a teenager she loved spending time with her brother,
Bruce, and their friends. She was so proud when her brother
Ron was born, she charged people a nickel to visit the newborn baby. She was active in Jobs Daughters, Girl Scouts,
her church and volunteered for The American Red Cross as
a candy striper. After high school she pursued a career in
nursing but decided it wasn’t her calling. It was around this
time she met Bob Burger, who was serving in the United
States Coast Guard. Carolyn married Bob August 17, 1974.
The couple moved to Bob’s hometown of Denver, CO on
their honeymoon. Two years later they welcomed their first
child, Lisa. Two years later came Amy.
Carolyn worked as a merchandise buyer for Joslins
Department Store. Bob was in banking.
In 1982 Bob earned a promotion which moved the family to Grand Junction, CO. Carolyn got a job as a teacher’s
aide at Thunder Mountain Elementary School. In 1986 she
went back to school to become a teacher. She attended what
is now Colorado Mesa University. She received the Mesa
Exceptional Student Award. She graduated in 1989. Her
daughters saw how hard she worked for that degree. She
shuttled the girls to practices, lessons and activities in between classes and study groups. Carolyn was an inspiration
to her daughters. She supported their dreams and would do
anything to help make them come true. She taught them determination, independence and confidence. Her daughters
were raised by a loving mother who told them often how
much she loved and was proud of them. She was also like a
second mom to their friends.
Everyone loved Carolyn, especially Bob, her husband of
49 years. They shared a love of music and entertained the
girls on road trips singing along to the Oldies. After retirement, the couple traveled to Europe and took weeks-long
road trips all over the U.S.
Carolyn’s favorite trips were to the Denver area to visit
Amy, Amy’s husband Kirk, whom she loved as a son, and
her precious grandchildren. Madison and Cameron were
the lights of her life. She was there the day each were born
and strived to be a force in their lives. She was the very best
grandma.
Carolyn was a gifted card-maker, quilter and scrapbooker.
She was a member of Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma
and Sunset Slope Quilters. She previously served as
President of Mesa Valley Education Association and was a
Board Member for the Colorado Mesa University Alumni
Association. She earned a Master’s Degree from Adam’s
State University.
Carolyn is survived by her husband Bob Burger;
daughters Lisa Burger and Amy (Kirk) Jones; grandchildren Madison and Cameron Jones; brothers Bruce (Susan)
Clayton and Ron (LaLaine) Clayton; brothers-in-law Roy
(Debi) Burger and Rick (Lynn) Burger; sister-in-law Tari
Burger; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends she loved so
much.
A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, October
28th at 11am, First Presbyterian Church 3940 27 1/2 Road,
Grand Junction.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CMU
Foundation, Attn: Carolyn Burger Memorial Scholarship
1450 N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81501 or online
https://engage.supportingcmu.org/Carolyn-Burger to assist
aspiring teachers with their college education.