Lillian Helen Burrus

A hummingbird hovered outside the window yesterday, waving goodbye to Lillian Helen (Horn) Burrus. Lillian was born to Oral Lesley and Anna Laura (Johnson) Horn in Decatur, IL on March 7, 1926, although for many years, at her mother’s insistence, Lillian was born just before midnight on March 6th. Social Security put an end to the debate in later years. Sisters Shirley and Wanda completed the family in 1930 and 1936 respectively. Lillian graduated from Herrick High School in Herrick, IL in 1943. She then joined her family in the Chicago area to work in a bomb shell factory while her high school sweetheart served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. On his return, Lillian and Nelson Wayne Burrus were married October 26, 1946. Daughters Cheryl Ann (1948) and Patricia Kay (1950) and a black cat named Football (1948) completed the family in Knoxville, IL.

Fulfilling Nelson’s dream to return to Colorado, the family, old Football included, moved to Indian Hills, CO in 1962. There Lillian learned to chop wood for heat and cooking; knit sweaters that will outlast us all; nurture the sourdough; combine trips for laundromat, groceries, and public library; feed the hummingbirds; and entertain company from back East each summer. When the daughters had flown the nest, Lillian volunteered at Swedish Hospital in Englewood, CO for many years.

When Lillian’s heart began to have issues with shoveling snow from the narrow driveway up to the parking area in Indian Hills and Nelson was semi-retired from years of West Slope construction work, they moved to Grand Junction, CO in 1986. There they could garden and enjoy the fruits of many nearby orchards.

Although life was good and the living was easier in Grand Junction, Nelson felt the Lord calling him to return East. They bought and renovated an old farm house in Oxford, AR. During their last years there, Lillian devoted more time to caring for Nelson, although she was a regular at the little church down the road and the nearby public library. In 2006 the couple returned to Colorado, settling in Canon City.

Lillian was a member of the Kittredge Community Church in Kittredge, CO. With subsequent moves, she continued to attend nearby churches regularly until her health declined. She then read, wrote, and watched various Christian programs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. She was blessed with lifelong friendships from Helen in fourth grade, others in her various homes, and on to her care center roommate Judy.

Lillian passed away August 13, 2023 at the Progressive Care Center in Canon City with her sister Wanda, daughter Cheryl and granddaughter Shaundra (Roy) Lantzy by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of almost 66 years, and sister Shirley (Steve) Vido. Survivors include her sister Wanda (Charles) Vido; daughters Cheryl (Ned) Miller and Patricia Burrus; seven grand-children and step-grandchildren; thirteen great-grand-children and step-great-grandchildren; and four great-greats.

The family would like to thank the staff at Progressive Care Center for their loving care and attention to Lillian during the last months of her life in this realm. A memorial service will be held at 11a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Wilson Memorial Chapel: 1449 S. 9th St. in Canon City. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Loaves and Fishes: 241 Justice Center Road, Canon City, CO or to the Humane Society of Fremont County: 110 Rhodes Ave. Canon City, CO.

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