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Janice Burnham Obituary
Urbandale
Janice Kay Burnham, 73, passed away peacefully at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. She was born November 17, 1939, in Des Moines, IA to Harold and Agnes Foote.
Janice lived in Urbandale for her entire life and saw it blossom from a rural town to a large prominent suburb of Des Moines. She graduated from Urbandale High School in 1958 and later joined Farm Bureau as a secretary. She met her future husband of 49 years, Don Burnham, in the company's bowling league and they married shortly thereafter. In 1977, Janice followed in her mother's footsteps by serving in the Urbandale Schools hot lunch program for 17 years. Janice enjoyed sewing, crafts, playing cards (Pitch and 500), spending time with the Friday night crew, watching 1980's era TV show reruns, and watching the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era. Janice especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and attending their sporting activities. She was a member of the Urbandale United Church of Christ.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents; by her loving husband, Don Burnham, who passed away in February 2013; and her brother, Richard Foote. She is survived by son, Michael (Sarah) Burnham of Carmel, IN, daughter, Sheri (John) Yoder of Urbandale, IA; grandchildren, Ryan Yoder, Rebecca Burnham, Allison Yoder, Laura Burnham, Henry Burnham, Abigail Burnham; sister-in-law, Pat Foote of Newton, IA.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Merle Hay Funeral Home with burial at Chapel Hill Gardens. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Urbandale Booster Club (c/o Urbandale Athletic Department) or Urbandale United Church of Christ in loving memory of Janice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Janice Burnham
4 Entries
July 19, 2013
Mike and Sherry... thinking of you two and your family of all the wonderful memories we have had in Urbandale with your family and you two... hugs.. Diane and Gary Cain
Doug/Carolyn Drake
July 19, 2013
Mike and Sherry
Our condolences on the loss of your mother so soon after your father.
Remember the good times and keep faith.
July 18, 2013
Sheri and Mike,
Your Mom and I were in school together K-12. I have wonderful childhood memories of your Mom. My favorite Christmas was the one that I got your Mom's old roller skates with the beautiful pom poms. We all loved to roller skate and I thought those skates were magic. Really your Mom was just a good skater. The Foots and Chases were "old Urbandale" so we had much in commmon. In the end your Mom became my neighbor. I know how much she missed your Dad and we talked about it together. I am happy that your parents will be together again. I admired your Mom. She was a wonderful example of how to face adversity. My sincere sympathy to you both. Mary Jane Chase Muehlhausen
Audrey DeCarlo
July 18, 2013
Mike, Sherry. and families,
I am so sorry for the loss of both of your parents in such a short time. They were such great people and I always enjoyed seeing them, whether at church, games, grocery store, or just out and about. We always had a nice visit.
I am glad that your parents are together once again. They were a great couple. But they will be missed by so many. I know how much they both loved watching their kids and grandkids play sports. Now they are together, and can watch all the games and activities from above.
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