Marijane Lee Burns

Marijane was raised in Muscatine and graduated from Nichols High School. She met Joseph Burns from Atalissa, Iowa through school athletics and regional church functions. Joe left to serve overseas as an engineer in the US Army in 1954. He came home briefly in January 1955 and proposed, and when he returned permanently in 1956, they were married in November. She was a loving wife and they celebrated 66 years of marriage this year on November 17th. Together they moved from Iowa to Indiana, to Texas, to North Carolina, having (or acquiring) 8 children along the way, the oldest of which Marijane has been eagerly awaiting to see in glory.

The most distinguishing feature of Marijane’s life was her love for Jesus Christ. Her personal devotion to and love for the Lord overflowed into a life of service to Him and others. She was undoubtedly a prayer warrior– she hosted weekly prayer meetings in her living room for 35+ years. Many of her children and grandchildren attribute their own faith today to her faithfulness in prayer on their behalf. She was a faithful member of the Cary Church of God. Throughout her years, she blessed innumerable people in her service to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), her church small group, prison ministry, Right to Life, and via “phone ministry” to her friends and family. People whose lives she’s touched still stop by to visit years later.

Marijane was preceded in death by her parents: John Leo Connell and Thelma Davis Connell; brother, James Connell; and infant son: Joseph Lee Burns. She is survived by her husband, Joseph C. Burns, of 66 years; brother, Brian J. Connell & wife, Lori; sons: Dann M. Burns, Shawn P. Burns and Clay J. Gitter (bonus son) & wife, Cindy; daughters: Joan T. Burns, Patricia L. & husband, Bill Grandy, Leah M. & husband, John West and Ann K. Burns; twelve grandchildren: Ciera M. & husband Robert Mootry, Preston T. McComas & wife Sarah, Parker S. & husband Shaun Martin, Calen R. Grandy, Tucker J. Burns, Savannah L.Grandy, Lacey C. Grandy, Brooke L. Burns, Brett M. Burns, Luke J. West, Sophia G. West, and Ben D. Burns; and four great-grandchildren; Noah J. McComas, Theodore L. Mootry, Lincoln C. Mootry, Reese T. McComas. Anyone can tell you that in her house, “grandkids rule.” Her face lit up at the mention of any of her grandchildren, even in her last few days of life.

As her surviving family members reflect on Marijane’s life, they think of countless hours spent eating and laughing around the kitchen table, her pumpkin bread and “famous” chocolate chip cookies (that can’t be replicated to this day), her quick wit, her unconditional love, her unwavering faith in Jesus, and her simplicity and humility. They say that she is the finest woman they’ve ever known, yet she would say, “he must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30). She would want nothing more than for Christ to be magnified both in her life and in her death, and they can say with resounding certainty that this is true of Marijane Burns. Although she may have joked that she might “get lost” on her way to heaven, they rejoice in knowing that she is face-to-face with Jesus and that her Lord will surely say of her “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

Private Graveside Services will be held at Apex Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below within "add a memory" for the Burns Family.