Sherrie Jeanne Burns

Sherrie Jeanne Burns, age 81, of Orlando, FL passed away on September 27, 2026. She was born in Hartley, IA on April 29, 1945 to Kenneth and Shirley Steffen. She attended country school in her early education while living in Everly. She graduated from Everly High School in 1963. Sherrie attended the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in December of 1966, where she then served as a clinical instructor.

Sherrie devoted her life to her family and the care of others. Sherrie and Lee Burns were wed at Hope Lutheran Church, Everly, IA on December 23,1966, after which they moved to Hawarden, IA.

Lee was drafted to serve in the Army in Vietnam. Upon Lee’s return they moved to Vermillion, SD, Spring Grove, MN, and settled in Lawton, IA where they welcomed their children Grant, Allison, and Logan Burns.

They resided in Lawton for 10 years before moving to Wauchula, FL in June of 1983. While residing in Wauchula, then later Zolfo Springs, FL, she worked for Hardee Memorial Hospital and the school system. She also worked for Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a night shift ER charge nurse. The family remained in Florida until 1993, where they returned to Iowa, moving to Rembrandt. Sherrie worked for the county health department, before once again returning to Florida, this time to Orlando in 1998, where she remained until her passing.

Sherrie had a love of nature, which began with working on the family farm from a young age, to participating in 4H, vegetable gardening, and a love of plants, wherever she lived. The family enjoyed cross country travels often to visit family and friends. She also loved music, playing trombone in the high school marching band, singing in the choir, theatre, and playing the piano at home. She encouraged her children in music, who all went on to play various instruments.

Sherrie was a member of various Lutheran churches through the family travels, but was baptized, confirmed, and married at Hope Lutheran Church, where she will now return home.

In her retirement years she assisted in the care of her grandchildren and enjoyed traveling back to Iowa annually to spend time with family and friends. Sherrie was a four-time cancer survivor and never lost her spirit of persistence through the many health challenges later in her life.

Sherrie is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Shirley (Jessen) Steffen and sister Polly (Steffen) Teeple. She is survived by her husband Lee; children Grant (Jessica) Burns of Umatilla, FL, Allison (Timothy) Johnson of Orlando, FL, and Logan (April) Burns of Mankato, MN; grandchildren Madison Johnson, Garrett Johnson, Austin Johnson, Owen Burns and Leo Burns.

Services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly, IA. Visitation at the church will be Friday October 16, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 17, 2026 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Lone Tree Cemetery, then lunch in the church reception hall for those who wish to join the family.

*In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sherrie’s name to the American Cancer Society.*