Sylvia Lea Burns, 73, of Early, IA formerly of Effingham, KS died on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at the Blackhawk Care Center, Lake View, IA.

Funeral services will be 10:30am on Saturday, Dec. 28th, 2019 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Al Schirmacher, officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery; Atchison KS The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 10:30 am on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Sylvia was born on April 12, 1946 in Omaha, NE. She was later adopted by Robert E. and Helen I. (Rigdon) Hamon. She graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1964. Sylvia worked as a certified nurse’s aide in Sac City, IA and then as a factory worker for a turkey processing plant in Storm Lake, IA. She was married to Donald R. Burns on July 4, 1964. They were later divorced. Sylvia and Don reconciled years later and Don became Sylvia’s caretaker once she was unable to care for herself. Sylvia enjoyed playing cards and doing puzzles.

Survivors include two sons, Donald R. (Lynann) Burns, Spirit Lake, IA, and Ricky A. Burns, Storm Lake, IA, two daughters Sherri (Larry) Vesterby, Ames, IA, and Sandra K. (James) Kracht, Aurelia, IA, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Helen, brother Jarrold, and grandson Jamie Lee.