White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

ROWLEY – James S. Burns, 82 years old, of Rowley, IA, died of cancer, Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, IA,

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. – Friday, September 13, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Rowley, with burial at the Rowley Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2024, at White Funeral Home in Independence, IA, and will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

James Steven Burns was born December 28, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, IA, the son of James Howard Burns and Opal Marie (McCloskey) Burns. Jim farmed with his family while still in school. His father bought a farm in rural Buchanan County and moved his family there. Jim stayed in Marion, IA, until after graduating with the Marion High School Class of 1960. He soon joined his family and worked alongside them on the farm. On December 15, 1963, he was united in marriage to Wanita Elaine Rasmussen at the Quasqueton Union Church in Quasqueton, IA. Together they raised their family on the farm east of Quasqueton where they produced grain and raised livestock. Jim retired in 2008 and moved into Rowley.

Jim was a friendly and outgoing person who enjoyed talking and helping others. He had been a Buchanan County Soil Commissioner, where he was an advocate for protecting the soil from erosion; he was a past president and director of the East Buchanan Telephone Co-Op; board member of the Buchanan County Pork Producers; an active volunteer with the Independence Area Food Pantry; and a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Rowley, serving in many ways. Jim was proud to have a large garden, and he would often help others get their garden’s started, by tilling their soil with his John Deere garden tractor and tiller. He also enjoyed reading, walking his dog, Henry, and spending time with his friends and family.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Wanita Burns of Rowley, IA; three children, Stephanie (Jeff) Haight of Independence, IA; David (Lynn) Burns of Winthrop, IA; and Susan (Carlyle) Schmidt of Westgate, IA; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister – in – law, Betty Burns; brother – in – law, Neil Strong; two nieces; and a great nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Richard Burns; and one sister, Carolyn Strong.

Memorials may be directed to the Independence Area Food Pantry and the Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

Condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence, is in charge of arrangements.