Frances Burns

Frances Annette Augusta Rosander was born August 14, 1917, in Lindsborg, Kansas, to Emil and Ellen (Bengtson) Rosander.  She grew up on the farm that had been homesteaded by her Swedish immigrant grandparents in 1880.  She attended a one-room school, and later graduated from Lindsborg High School and then from Bethany College in 1939.   She was an active debater in college, and also played the violin through high school.   She was proud of her Swedish heritage and of having been part of the Messiah Festival (Handel) in Lindsborg, for many years.

She was a teacher for 30 years in elementary and secondary schools, as well as at Bethany College for one year.   She was named Master Teacher in Great Bend, KS, in 1970, and took an active part in teacher activities and organizations when she taught, and also the National Retired Teachers Organization when she retired.   She was President of the Great Bend Education Association (of NEA), and was active in getting passed equal pay for women teachers and accumulated sick leave for retirees.

Frances married Allen Burns on January 24, 1942, in Lindsborg, Kansas.     After WW II, they moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where they both were teachers.   They had two children, Karin (Marvin) Sobba, of Overland Park, KS, and George Burns (Sandy), of San Diego, CA.   Frances had four grandchildren, Anne Sobba of Overland Park, KS, Kathy (Kyle) Parks, of Lenexa, KS, Donald Burns (Brynn) of Leawood, KS, and Becky (Chris) Simpson, of Edmond, OK.   She also had six great-grandchildren, Shannon and Sam Burns, Alex and Harry Simpson, and Taylor and Brady Parks.

She is preceded in death by her husband in 1995; Sisters, Helen and Emeline; Cousins, Annette (Sjostrom) Danielson, and Ralph Sjostrom who lived with their family when they grew up.

During her lifetime, she was active in community and church activities and organizations, serving as an officer in all of them.   She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, KS, and served many offices in the United Methodist Women organization.

She came to Silvercrest Retirement Community in Overland Park in 2005. While living there she became an affiliate member of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS.  She loved the Bible Study group, the Book Club, and Bunko at Silvercrest, and she loved to listen to audio CD’s in her apartment.  If desired, memorial contributions may be given to Silver Link Ministry, C/O Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, Kansas  66224.

Frances passed away on December 12, 2016, at the age of 99.

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