In Memory Of
Mary Keith Burns
1933
2022
Mary Keith Burns
September 13, 1933 — July 27, 2022
Mary Keith Riegle Burns passed away on July 27, 2022. She began life on September 13, 1933, born the youngest of four children to Roy Wilford Riegle Sr. and Keith Maria Roberts Riegle.
The child of an army colonel, she lived in multiple places during her childhood but always called her birthplace of Emporia, Kansas, home. Mary Keith graduated from Kansas State Teacher College (today known as Emporia State University) with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She relished her time in college as a cheerleader and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.
On June 15, 1956, she became the proud wife of Arliss D. Burns, a native of Kiowa, Kansas. Together, they shared 65 wonderful years before Arliss' passing on April 15, 2020. Throughout it all, they enjoyed travel, KU basketball, and the company of family and dear friends.
In her professional life, Mary Keith taught middle school English in Emporia, Wichita and Overland Park, and later was a part-time realtor with her husband. She was active in the community as well, including memberships in the Church of Christ Overland Park, PEO, DAR, ESU/KU alumni, and volunteered for the Veterans Hospital and other charities. Mary Keith never knew a stranger and made friends everywhere she went. She loved giving holiday socks to all she met and knew.
Mary Keith loved her parents and attended to their well-being, especially in their final years. She was preceded in death by her two sisters and one brother: Ardis Jean Riegle Lemons, Roy W Riegle Jr., and Jo Anna Riegle Scherrer. She is survived by several nieces and nephews: Janis Riegle, Roy W Riegle III, Nancy Riegle, Robert Riegle, Jeffrey Riegle, Kevin Scherrer, Scott Scherrer, Tom Scherrer, Karen Lemons (predeceased), Mark Lemons, Kristin Lemons Cary, and their spouses and children.
Mary Keith will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. She'll be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. A memorial service for both Mary Keith and her late husband, Arliss, will be held at the same location on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at 11:00am.
Her family is immensely grateful to her dear friends at Monarch Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association. Should loved ones desire, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Alzheimer's Association in her Memory.
To leave a message of condolence for Mary Keith's family or to share a special memory of Mary Keith, please visit the guestbook below.
The child of an army colonel, she lived in multiple places during her childhood but always called her birthplace of Emporia, Kansas, home. Mary Keith graduated from Kansas State Teacher College (today known as Emporia State University) with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She relished her time in college as a cheerleader and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.
On June 15, 1956, she became the proud wife of Arliss D. Burns, a native of Kiowa, Kansas. Together, they shared 65 wonderful years before Arliss' passing on April 15, 2020. Throughout it all, they enjoyed travel, KU basketball, and the company of family and dear friends.
In her professional life, Mary Keith taught middle school English in Emporia, Wichita and Overland Park, and later was a part-time realtor with her husband. She was active in the community as well, including memberships in the Church of Christ Overland Park, PEO, DAR, ESU/KU alumni, and volunteered for the Veterans Hospital and other charities. Mary Keith never knew a stranger and made friends everywhere she went. She loved giving holiday socks to all she met and knew.
Mary Keith loved her parents and attended to their well-being, especially in their final years. She was preceded in death by her two sisters and one brother: Ardis Jean Riegle Lemons, Roy W Riegle Jr., and Jo Anna Riegle Scherrer. She is survived by several nieces and nephews: Janis Riegle, Roy W Riegle III, Nancy Riegle, Robert Riegle, Jeffrey Riegle, Kevin Scherrer, Scott Scherrer, Tom Scherrer, Karen Lemons (predeceased), Mark Lemons, Kristin Lemons Cary, and their spouses and children.
Mary Keith will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. She'll be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. A memorial service for both Mary Keith and her late husband, Arliss, will be held at the same location on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at 11:00am.
Her family is immensely grateful to her dear friends at Monarch Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association. Should loved ones desire, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Alzheimer's Association in her Memory.
To leave a message of condolence for Mary Keith's family or to share a special memory of Mary Keith, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Keith Burns, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Monday, September 12, 2022
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Leavenworth National Cemetery
Guestbook
Visits: 5
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