Wilma (Kraus) Burnham

Wilma Kraus Burnham, 104, of Hartford, formerly of West Hartford, died Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at her home. She was the wife of the late Curtiss C. Burnham. Born in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Milton and Alice (Morstadt) Kraus, Wilma grew up in the Midwest. She began to develop a sense of selflessness early in life during the Influenza Epidemic of 1919, when she helped care for sick servicemen that the family had taken into their Chicago home. At 15, Wilma was a high school sophomore and the country was celebrating the Sesquicentennial. She was chosen to represent her state of Michigan and attended the World's Fair in Philadelphia. A group of 144 were invited to the Rose Garden at the White House where Wilma and the others were presented a medal from President Coolidge. She and her sister moved to Cleveland to live with their uncle around the time of the Great Depression. Wilma would attend Oberlin College in Ohio where she studied journalism and eventually finish her education at Barnard College in New York City. A lifelong writer and storyteller, she honed her skills while working for Liberty Magazine, reviewing stories for the editor. Family and friends would later recall her wonderful letters and eloquent recollections. In 1942, at the USO in New York City, Wilma served coffee and sandwiches and displayed kindness to another generation of American service men, including a naval officer and her husband to be, Curtiss Burnham. In 1944, she moved with Curtiss to West Hartford where she lived for nearly 70 years. Mrs. Burnham was predeceased by her husband Curtiss and her sister Alice Kraus. Later in life, she liked to retreat to her books. She maintained a great outlook on life, was kind to all she met and was sharp until her death. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the Chapel of Avery Heights, 705 New Britain Avenue, Hartford. Burial at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home has care of arrangements. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.