Memorial

Alice Theresa Burns, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully in her sleep after a brief illness Wednesday, October 2, 2019, in her home at Cottage Grove Place, surrounded by her loving family and in the care of Hospice of Mercy and Visiting Angels. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2019, officiated by Father Don Czapla, with visitation beginning an hour prior at St. Matthew Catholic Church. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2019, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with a vigil service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Private inurnment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on Saturday.

She is survived by six children: Pam (Jay) Gilchrist of Fort Smith, AR; Bill Burns of Solon; Carol (Bob Taylor) Burns of Boston, MA; Mike (Michaela) Burns of Phoenix, AZ; Mary (John) Hasley of Polk City; and Barb (Mark) Miltner, of Cedar Rapids. 

Surviving siblings are Ruth Pape, Pearl Hullerman, Lois Oberbroeckling, John (Karen) Neuhaus, Don (Becky) Neuhaus, as well as sister-in-law Eunice Kokemiller. 

Alice’s thirteen grandchildren are Matthew (Kristin) Gilchrist, Anna (Alan) Murphy, Joel (Sarah) Gilchrist, Ben (Cora) Burns, Cy (Marie) Burns, Rae Taylor-Burns, Bobby Burns, Becky Burns, Ike Hasley, Madeline Hasley, Louis Hasley, Max Miltner, and Alicia Miltner; seven great-grandchildren are Ada and Austin Gilchrist, Jamizen Murphy, Naomi Gilchrist, Zarek and Emmett Burns, and Bailey Burns.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, her brother Cy, and brothers-in-law Rich Pape, Ted Hullerman, and Bob Oberbroeckling.

Alice was born December 1, 1930, in New Vienna, IA, to George and Eugenia Neuhaus. A farm girl with a strong German work ethic, she made the move to the city, like her sisters, in search of a job. While working at the Roosevelt Hotel in Cedar Rapids, she met Robert “Bob” Burns, and on Aug. 28, 1950, they began a more-than-sixty-year marriage.

Alice and Bob together created a devoted family and rich life with hard work and plenty of fun. As owners and managers of income property, they became close to their many tenants. They enjoyed all types of family vacations, driving across the country and spending summertime at Lake Delhi. Alice enjoyed cheering for the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. She had a sense of humor and, like her mother, loved gatherings with family and friends. She knew that a margarita might entice others to join a party, and she liked to quip, “You can always tell a German - but you can’t tell ‘em much.” Alice and Bob supported Catholic education and most recently she was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. 

A strong independent woman, Alice believed in the value of a sturdy work ethic, good education, and the power of prayer.  As a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she leaves a profound legacy of family. She will be remembered for strength, grace, and hospitality and generosity to family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy, or St. Matthew Catholic Church.