Norma Jean Burns

Norma Jean Burns, 94, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away after a brief illness on January 1, 2026.
Norma was born to Fred and Margaret Evans at a farm in Ovid, Colorado. She and her four siblings (Fran, Tom, Marylyn, Kathy) moved to bigger communities after school and marriage to pursue their own families and careers. They stayed closely in touch with each other for decades, all eventually predeceasing Norma. They left behind many nieces and nephews. Norma also had a younger brother, Jon Frederick, who died in infancy.
Norma married Robert Gerwin Jr. shortly after graduating college, and they built a great life together highlighted by their three children: Kim, Lisa, and Rob. In addition to raising kids, being a homemaker and a great mom, Norma still found the time to hone her athletic skills at bowling, tennis, golf, and skiing. She and Bob socialized often with neighbors, who became life-long friends. They took the family on trips throughout the USA and traveled in Europe on their own. After four decades of marriage, Norma lost Bob to cancer.
A few years later, she had a second chance for love with a gentleman dentist, Dr. Daryl Burns. Daryl asked the golf pro at Cherry Hills Country Club to recommend a lady who could play a decent game of golf. The rest is history. They married and Norma welcomed his two daughters, Shauna and Kristen, into the family. In their retirement years, Norma and Daryl continued to pursue tennis, golf, and skiing, but Daryl could never get Norma to appreciate one of his passions, fly fishing. She just did not see the point of standing in cold water all day waiting for a fish to bite a lure, when you could just buy one at Safeway as needed. She preferred playing bridge with her PEO sisters (but she sure liked eating the fish that Daryl caught!).
Norma and Daryl had a wonderful 27 years together, traveling around the world, spending winters in Arizona, with many small adventures along the way. They really loved spending time with each other. Norma was blessed to have Daryl by her side when she passed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 PM January 12 at Holly Creek Retirement Community, 5500 E. Peakview Ave, Centennial. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma, please visit our floral store.