Garnand Funeral Home Pass #2540
PO Box 854 / 514 Kansas Ave
Elkhart, KS 67950 PLEASE PRINT FREE OBITUARY
620-697-2191
DATELINE: ELKHART, KS
Janet Eileen (Sipes) Burns was born on December 21, 1944 in Wichita, Kansas to the late Don and Velda (Morse) Sipes and was the oldest of four children.
She was raised on her parents’ farm north of Elkhart, Kansas. The family moved to Elkhart when Janet was 10 years old. She was involved in marching band, pep club, and 4-H. Janet was the drum majorette of the Lions Club Community Band that marched in President Kennedy’s Inaugural Parade.
Janet graduated from Elkhart High School in 1962. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in 1964. On September 4, 1964, Janet married Billy Fred Burns, the love of her life. To this union, four children were born: Jody, Kimberly, Billy Don, and Kristi. She cherished her husband until her earthly departure.
Janet began her nursing degree in Wichita, Kansas prior to her marriage. She concluded her RN degree at St. Bernard’s Nursing School in Chicago, Illinois, where her husband was employed.
They returned to the Eva Community in the summer of 1969 where she raised her children, helped her husband on the farm, and worked intermittently as a nurse in the hospitals of Elkhart, Guymon, and Boise City. Janet taught Lamaze birthing classes for many years. She loved working with young mothers. Janet concluded her nursing career as the school nurse at Rolla Public Schools.
She enjoyed serving as a youth group leader, volunteering as a 4-H leader, serving as an election official, and being involved in the Eva Friends Community Club.
Janet joined her Heavenly Father on October 14, 2011. She leaves a cherished legacy to her sisters, Ann Hall and husband Richard of Dallas, Texas, Donna Morris and husband Tom of Balko, Oklahoma; her four children, Jody Burns of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kimberly Bruner and husband David of Yampa, Colorado, Billy Don Burns and wife Crystal of Logan, New Mexico, Kristi Burroughs and husband JD of Haughton, Louisiana; her seven grandchildren, DaKota Bruner, Lexi Burroughs, Kourtney Bruner, Kambry Burns, Kayedence Bruner, Natalie Burroughs, Brock Burns; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Fred Burns on April 28, 2011; her parents, Don and Velda Sipes; her brother, Dean Sipes; and her in-laws, Ralph and Lela Burns.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Elkhart, Kansas with Pastor Jim Cunningham and Pastor Ron Wilson presiding. Interment will be at the Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart, Kansas. Friends may call Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. The family will greet friends, Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at City Hall in Elkhart. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to the Eva Friends or the First Christian Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.
