Eleanor Ruth (Wise) Burla, age 98, of Bessemer, died Saturday. April 25, 2026. She was born on January 30, 1928, in Ukiah, California, the daughter of the late Serle and Gertrude Wise. She grew up in Elmore, Minnesota, graduating from Elmore High School in 1946.

Eleanor attended the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and math. After graduating, she moved to Bessemer and began her teaching career. In 1961, she started teaching in Ironwood. She retired from the Ironwood Schools in 1987.

She was united in marriage to Michael Burla on July 21, 1951, in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He preceded her in death on November 5, 1994.

Eleanor was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. For many years, she served the church as an organist and director of the choir. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and was a D of I regent for five years. In addition, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.

She was a charter member and director of The Chamber Singers for over 30 years. This past December, she took part in The Chamber Singers' “Nine Lessons and Carols” as a reader.

She was a master adjudicator for the Wisconsin State Music Association, judging at both the district and state levels.

In 2013, Eleanor received the Upper Peninsula Choral Leadership Award from the Marquette Choral Society.

Eleanor was a lifetime member of Theatre North, where she directed several plays. The first play she directed was Fiddler on the Roof in 1989, and she was happy to be able to attend the recent production of “Fiddler” shortly before her death.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter and her brother, Dale Wise.

Eleanor is survived by three sons, Michael (Melissa) of Ellisville, Missouri; Peter (Jennifer) of Ironwood; and John (Judy) of Ballwin, Missouri; six grandchildren; Adam (Serena), Paul (Kaitlyn), Peter (Katie), Martha (Seth Rosen), Angela, and Andrew (Sydney); seven great-grandchildren; Boyd, Boland, Maren, Vince, Isaac, Pippa, and Penny, a sister-in-law, Corinne Wise; and three nieces and one nephew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. Father Brian Gerber will be the celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service. A luncheon will be held in the church hall basement immediately following the service. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. Memorials are preferred to St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Bessemer.