Robert Lee BurnsLyons, KS

Robert Lee Burns, 92, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away January 6, 2026, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River.  He was born February 22, 1933, on the family farm north of Raymond, Kansas, established by his grandfather in the late 1880s.

Robert graduated from Raymond High School, in a class of eight, in 1952.  After high school, Robert studied engineering and served in ROTC at Kansas State University for two years.  During this time, on August 21, 1953, Robert married his favorite cheerleader from Raymond High School, Anna Marie Cruth, in Raymond.

After college, Robert and Anna moved back to Lyons where he worked for the City of Lyons for a year and a half before being drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1956.  He served in the U.S. Army for two years in El Paso, Texas in the 247th Field Artillery Missile Battalion.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Robert and Anna returned to Kansas and lived in Holyrood and Bushton.  Robert began working for Northern Natural Gas in December 1958, where he was an operations supervisor during the development of the underground storage units and Hydrocarbon Transportation Incorporated (HTI) pipelines.  In these earlier days, Robert enjoyed boating and skiing.

When HTI moved offices to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1968, Robert and his family moved to Colfax, Iowa.  During their twelve years in Colfax, Robert and his family were members of First Baptist Church and Robert served at both the church and on the Colfax City Council.  In 1980, HTI moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and Robert and his family moved to Ralston, Nebraska.  During their eight years in Ralston, Robert and his family were members of Community Bible Church, where Robert served in various roles.

After retiring in 1988, Robert and Anna returned to Lyons, Kansas, to care for Robert’s parents.  In Lyons, Robert built their retirement home with a limited amount of outside help.  They were members of Faith Bible Church where, again, Robert served in various roles.  He was deeply involved in the development of the church’s current facility, which opened in 2006.  Robert remained active in the church until he was no longer physically capable.

Robert was a very generous man, both financially and with his time.  He served in every church that he attended and had a heart for missions like Haiti Love & Faith Ministries.  He visited and worked at the girl’s orphanage in Haiti and had a deep love and concern for the girls living there.

Robert was an exceptionally hard worker and master of everything building and fixing.  He was a talented carpenter, plumber, electrician, woodworker, and maintainer of everything outdoors.  Whether it be building their home, a garage, a boat, a treehouse, or a cradle, wooden horse or booster seat for a granddaughter, Robert’s capabilities never ceased to amaze.  He also showed his love for the Lord by building many crosses and tables for the churches that he attended.

Robert and Anna loved to travel and together they filled up a world map with pins indicating their travels.  They visited a wide range of countries worldwide, including Russia, Israel, New Zealand, and others.  Most significantly to Robert, as a patriotic man, they also visited all the 50 U.S. states.

Robert is preceded in death by his wife Anna; parents Verbal and Kathrine (Ankerholz) Burns; son Steven Craig Burns; daughter Nancy Jo Burns; and sisters Ethel Dunsmoor and Beverly Mix.  Robert is survived by his son Bob Burns of Raymond, KS; daughter Julie Fernen and husband Mike of Papillion, NE; four granddaughters, Natasha Rushing, Michaela Koehler and husband Gavin, Brianna Dunbar, and Jennica Fernen; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Faith Bible Church, Lyons, KS with Pastor Phil Green officiating.  Lunch will follow at the church.  A family only burial will be later in the afternoon.  Memorials may be given to Faith Bible Church or to Grace International (a Haiti support organization) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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