Marion Burford Obituary

Marion Louise Burford, née Hoedebecke, passed away peacefully on June 29th, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and quiet strength.
Born on October 8, 1934, to Lucile and Louis Hoedebecke, Marion grew up in Teutopolis, Illinois, and graduated from Teutopolis High School. After high school, she moved to Indianapolis, where she was proud to work at the U.S. Rubber Factory and enjoyed the energy and independence of city life.
Marion returned to Teutopolis to marry her high school sweetheart, Larry Burford, on September 11, 1954, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, and faith. They welcomed their daughter, Patricia Anne, on June 18, 1955, and their son, Michael Lawrence, on November 15, 1959.
A devoted homemaker, Marion took great pride in maintaining a warm, welcoming home and preparing meals to be shared in the dining room. She loved hosting and sharing her talents with others.
When her children were young, she served as a 4-H leader and remained an active community member throughout her life. She was especially proud of her involvement with the American Red Cross, donating hundreds of pints of blood and being honored for her generosity.
Marion held numerous leadership roles within the Illinois Society of the Children of the American Revolution, including serving as Senior State President. She enjoyed traveling to meetings across the Midwest and to national conventions in Washington, D.C. She was a meticulous public speaker at these events.
She worked as a bookkeeper for her aunt, Vivian Jansen, whom she credited with teaching her valuable business skills and grace. Marion also gave her time generously as a lifelong Election Day volunteer.
In later years, Marion owned and operated Granny's Gifts, where she created and sold custom ceremony and silk floral arrangements. She taught classes in her shop and loved being part of local markets and craft fairs.
Travel was another great joy in her life-especially packing up her red thermos of coffee, a trusty road map, and heading out to visit Larry, wherever his work took him. Her granddaughter, Courtney, was often her favorite travel companion on those adventures.
Marion authored a series titled "Burford Family History", which is in the National DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and the Illinois State Library in Springfield, Illinois. She had a love and appreciation for genealogy and worked to preserve local cemeteries by cleaning the older tombstones.
Marion cherished her role as "Granny" to Courtney and Caleb and took even more joy in becoming a Great Granny in her later years. Playing Old Maid, UNO, and baking cakes are what she enjoyed doing with them most.
She is survived by her daughter, Pat Hartke, along with her granddaughter, Courtney (Kristen) Vosmaer, and grandson, Caleb (Pam) Hartke. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren Hugo & Stella Vosmaer, along with Sloane and Saylem Hartke. She leaves behind her sisters Ruth Fouts and Gail (Vic) Toloday, along with her in-laws, Mary Bender, Carl Burford, Dorothy (Gayle) Bartel, Marcie Burford, and many nieces and nephews.
Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, son, Michael, and son-in-law, Mel Hartke. Also her parents, Louis and Lucile Hoedebecke, in-laws Clarence & Lorraine Burford, sisters, Joan& Lambert Merz, Carol & Holly Barlage, Sara & Eldon (Max) Meyer, Mary & (John) Totone, Brother-in-Laws Allen Probst and Wayne Werth, along with brother/sister-in-laws Jim and Gertie Burford, Tom and Joyce Burford, Bernie Burford, Bob Bender, Dianna Burford and nephews, Mark Merz and Phillip Burford and nieces Kathy Major-Jones, Nita Merz and Susan Barlage.
She will be remembered for her generosity, creativity, and devotion to family.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Effingham, with burial in St. Francis Cemetery, Teutopolis. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to the time of mass, Saturday, in the narthex of the church. Memorials may be given to the American Red Cross in Marion's memory.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Willowbrook for the care and concern they showed Marion in her last years. Steve held a special place in Marion's heart as he was patient with her, and they shared stories of the Hoedebecke family. Thank you to Transitions Hospice for helping Marion in her final weeks, especially Karen, who helped not only Marion but the family.
As Marion told Courtney and Stella in her final days, "all good things must come to an end". And for Marion, she did have a blessed life, and now is the time for her to rest.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
Marion L. Burford, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Marion L. Burford, please click here to visit our sympathy store.