Cari Dawn Burgess

Born on June 13, 1960, in Soda Springs, Idaho, she was the first child of Donnie Burgess and VaNeal Ellis. As her father’s Air Force career assigned her family to different places, Cari grew up in New York, Washington, Idaho, and Nebraska. She was later joined by her siblings Lori, Nathan, and Becky.

Cari was born with hemihyperplasia that led to physical and intellectual disabilities; they shaped her journey but never limited her remarkable capacity to love others. She earned a high school diploma from Bellevue East High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1979, and later that year her family moved to the pine trees of Black Forest, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Over the years, she worked in a nursing home, at the Air Force Academy commissary, in the Current cafeteria, at Target, and as a bus assistant for children with special needs. But what she loved most was creating: she filled her time doing puzzles, diamond art, tie-dyeing, and fabric crafts. Cari was an excellent crocheter and seamstress and her handmade baby blankets became treasured gifts for countless families. She had a special tenderness for babies and loved to hold them whenever she could, with a special love for her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. The youngest generation called her “Great Cari” and she loved each visit and FaceTime she had with them.

Naturally social and endlessly friendly, Cari could strike up a conversation anywhere and if she met you once, you were friends for life. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she worked in its Denver temple often; the Black Forest Ward community was also a huge part of her life. She faithfully prepared the weekly church bulletin and ordered plaques for each missionary serving from the ward, a responsibility she took seriously. Her love of the missionaries serving from and in the Black Forest Ward was unmatched.

Hawaii held a special place in Cari’s heart. She visited three times and never stopped talking about the beaches and the pineapple. After her family lost their home in the 2013 Black Forest fire, she redecorated her new bedroom and bathroom in a tropical theme as a daily reminder of the islands she loved and hoped to visit again.

Cari was persistent, generous, honest, and deeply devoted to the people around her. She truly loved being in the center of family gatherings, keeping track of everyone’s activities and celebrating their milestones.

She is survived by her devoted parents and lifelong caregivers Donnie and VaNeal Burgess; her siblings Lori (Andy), Nathan, and Becky (Keyan); her 13 Anderson/Burgess/Riley nieces and nephews to whom she was “Aunt Cari”; and 9 great-nieces and great-nephews to whom she was “Great Cari.” Her family finds comfort in knowing she is surrounded by light and loved ones on the other side just as she was here.

A celebration of life will be held to honor Cari on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Black Forest at 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908.

In honor of Cari’s interests, the family invites those who would like to join them to wear Hawaiian or tie-dye attire.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation or the Black Forest Ward Missionary Fund.