Kathleen “Kathy” Rae Burns, of Salina, Kansas passed away on July 23, 2025 in her home at the age of 76. She was born on May 19, 1949, to Carl and Helen (Steinle) Wilhelm in Russell, Kansas. She was married on January 20, 1968, to Jerome Charles Burns at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wilson, KS. Together they shared 57 years of devoted marriage.
Kathy grew up in Dorrance, Kansas, and graduated from Dorrance High School in 1967. She continued her education earning her nursing degree from the Asbury School of Nursing in 1970. Kathy served patients at Asbury Hospital and later Salina Regional Health Center. Throughout her career, she worked across all hospital floors and later in scheduling retiring on her Birthday 2011.
She and Jerome made their home in Salina, where they lived in the same house for 51 years. Their home was the heart of many cherished family gatherings - from graduations to weddings and everything in between. Kathy had a deep love for her family, always putting them first. She especially treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, often hosting and cooking for the entire family with warmth and joy.
She will be remembered for her kindness, selflessness, and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the hearts she nurtured.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Jerome of Salina; daughter, Darcie (Wes) Gould of Salina; son, Derek Burns of Salina; sister, Debbie (Wayne) McClure of Salina; brother, Donald (Sharilyn) Wilhem of Wilson; six grandchildren, Timothy (Destiny) McGaha, Tyler (Haley) McGaha, Dorothy Gould, Joshua (Haley) Gould, Sofia Burns, Alexcis Barnes-Teschke (Cooper); and seven great-grandchildren, Leon & Logan McGaha, Waylon, Mason, Taylor & Micah Gould.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dale Wilhelm.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 10AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 302 S 7th Street in Salina. The family will greet friends at 9AM until service time. Burial will follow at the Wilson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 27th from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church – Salina or Kathleen Burns Memorial Fund and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, Kansas 67490.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com