Joan F. Burns

Joan Burns, 89, of Waverly, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family, on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Joan Frances Fortier was born July 1, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Waldo and Mary (Frost) Fortier. She graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1950. She met Tom Burns while in high school and they married on February 21, 1952.

Joan (Mom, Mimi, Grams, Grandma) will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a relentlessly positive and supportive presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and friends. She was a trusted confidant and mentor to many more. She was kind, non-judgmental, and gracious. She credited her faith as her source of strength throughout her life. For many years Joan and Tom operated a construction company in Waterloo with Joan managing the business from a home office while somehow simultaneously raising eight children in that same happy, chaotic home. She was a talented artist, creating cherished works of art for her family. She enjoyed her puzzles, crosswords, and was an avid reader. She loved the game of golf and told many stories about the golf vacations she and Tom took each winter.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jeff Burns (Susan), Gary Burns, Julie Deines (Dave), Laura Beenblossom (Joe), Connie Zinkula (Jerry), Paul Burns (Joan), son-in-law, Ed Kammeyer, nineteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of over 45 years, Tom, her daughter Jodi, her son Danny, and her sister Mary Louise Suiter.