Jeanette Alma Burhans

Alma Jeanette Richner Burhans, 83, of Dexter, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia that began in February of this year. She was born on February 2, 1943 in Watertown to Charlotte Richner. She lived at the Jefferson County Orphanage from the age of four until her teenage years and graduated from the Watertown School System.

Jeanette married Philip Godfrey in 1959 and they had four children, Kim, Cathy, Jeff and Penny. The marriage ended in divorce. She married James Burhans on April 25, 1998, growing her family by adding four step children, Daniel, Laura, Christina and Timothy.

Jeanette worked at OJ’s Salon and Channel 50 News Station in Watertown and later was a receptionist at Fort Dental in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. She and James returned to NY after retirement and also enjoyed snow birding in Florida. Jeanette enjoyed spending time with family, being in the sunshine, swimming and visiting with friends. She will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished grandmother and faithful friend with a strong faith in God. She lived her life with grace and kindness.

Jeanette leaves behind her husband of 28 years, James Burhans; her children, Kimberly (Don) Pinnow, of Dexter NY, Cathy (Don) Ferguson, of Dade City FL, Jeff (Jan) Godfrey, of Dexter NY, and Penny (John) Graff, of Dexter NY; her step children, Daniel (Melissa) Burhans, of Fort Atkinson WI, Laura (Harold) Giddley, of Luxemburg WI, Christina Burhans, of Janesville WI, and Timothy (Summer) Burhans, of Mishicot WI; her grandchildren, Tiffany (Alex) Perez, Christopher (Luanne) Pinnow, Angela Pinnow, Nicole (Scott) Schweitzer, Jason (Jamie) Chase, Lesley (Ryan) Churchill, Janae (Jason) Paul, Jacey Godfrey, Tia Godfrey, Gabrielle (Adam), Whitney (Brandon), Elizabeth (John), Samantha (Chaunce), Ahsley (Josh), Kaylee (Freddy), Dorian (Anna), Eli (Taylor), and Hunter (Sammy); her great-grandchildren, Arryanna, Mason, Daisy, Chase, Donovan, Joycephene, Tyler, Lilly, Tristan, Kayla, Tucker, Rease, Corleyn, Genevieve, Isobel, Russell, Jaylynn, Jasper, Ariel, Aryanna, Autumn (Brandon) Dorr, Anthony, Adrion, Tucker, Adalynn, Kinsley, Sawyer, Kennedy, Lyla, Raelynn, Jory, Jeron, and Joshua; her great-great-grandchildren, Callum and Della; her sister, Elizabeth St. Pierre; her brother, Robert Richner; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother; her brothers, Gordon (Deloris) Stevenson, and James (Barbara) Richner; her sister, Isabelle (Charles) Bickel; and her brother in law, Robert St. Pierre.

A celebration of Jeanette’s life and memorial luncheon will be held at the Dexter American Legion, 105 E. Bronson St. Dexter, NY on Saturday, July 25 from 11am-3pm.