Polly Sue Burnham

Polly Sue Mugg Burnham, 71, of Townsend, Montana, died on Saturday, September 23, 2023, due to a heart attack.

She was a lifelong learner and a follower of Jesus Christ, her Savior.

Polly was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 16, 1952. Due to her health concerns, her

family moved to Stillwater, Minnesota. Her childhood home included a large vegetable

garden, which instilled in her a love of gardening.

She was an accomplished cook, having learned alongside her mother and cooking the

produce from her garden. She enjoyed entertaining her friends and family, preparing many

delicious gourmet meals.

Polly was a lover of all of God’s creatures, big and small. She spoiled many dogs and rescued

numerous cats throughout her life, including her beloved Lil Bear and Annie. At one time,

Polly even raised chickens and enjoyed going to the henhouse and retrieving fresh eggs

each morning.

Growing up, Polly’s family had a cabin at Star Island on Cass Lake, in Northern Minnesota.

Here she learned to swim, sail and waterski. She loved her time on the lake and always felt

most herself near the water. Later in her childhood she would go to Camp Widjiwagan in

Ely, Minnesota, eventually becoming a camp counselor at the camp. She enjoyed canoeing,

and hiking in the wilderness of the Boundary Waters. Polly was also an avid downhill and

cross-country skier.

Polly was a woman of many talents. She was extremely creative, an excellent writer, artist

and superb seamstress. She would craft clothing items putting her own twist on their

creation thus making it uniquely her own. You could give her your idea and she would

create it. Many people benefitted from her various talents.

Polly graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She had several career pursuits,

starting as a salesperson at JC Penney in Duluth, Minnesota and as an advisor at Franklin

Templeton in San Francisco, California. Later she followed in her father’s footsteps and got

her state of Wisconsin Real Estate license and developed a farm into a residential

community just outside of the Twin Cities area. Her final position was with the NASDA as an

Agricultural Survey Field Enumerator. Working from home, she enjoyed reaching out to

farmers and ranchers across America.

Polly’s parents, James K and Mary Jane Mugg predeceased her. Her sister, Gwen Ann Mugg,

of Daytona Beach, Florida survives her.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. Remembrances and Condolences may be sent to the family at simplecremationmt.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Polly Sue Burnham, please visit our Tree Store.