Diane M. Burtness

Diane M. Burtness, 79, of Branson West, Mo. and formerly of Fertile, passed away Christmas Day, 2022.

A Memorial Service to honor her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. North, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Mary Findlay officiating. She will be laid to rest a Brush Point Cemetery in the future.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials be directed to Fertile Lutheran Church, 602 W. Washington St., Fertile, IA 50434 or Shepherd of the Hills Church, 71 Kimberling Boulevard, Kimberling City, MO 65686.

Diane Mavis Brinton was born Dec. 15, 1943, in Webster City, Iowa the oldest child of Marshal “Homer” and Anna Mae (Hill) Brinton. She grew up on the family farm near Fertile with her five siblings.  She attended Fertile High School. On Sept. 10, 1960 she married the love of her life, Lance Eugene Burtness, and the couple was blessed with two children, Ellen and John. For numerous years the family made their home in Fertile where she worked with Lance as a secretary for the family business, Burtness Plumbing and Heating. They retired together in 2005, soon making their home in Missouri.

Diane was an active part of the Fertile Lutheran Church, serving as Circle Chairman for numerous years. She also worked on the Election Board. She looked forward to traveling with Lance. Together they adventured all over the US and Canada, walking countless beaches and enjoying good fishing along the way. Their annual trip to Ft. Meyers Beach, Fla. became a family tradition, welcoming family and friends to join and stay brought Diane great joy. She truly loved retirement and was overjoyed when Lance fulfilled his promise of her living on a lake. Their home on Table Rock Lake was truly that, a home, and they were lucky enough to be surrounded by friends. Diane’s calm, understanding nature made everyone feel at home. Her heart had endless room to love anyone that walked through her doors, and she claimed them as her own. Time spent in the kitchen passing along skills and techniques to grandchildren and great grandchildren, teaching them to cook and bake was treasured. Diane’s life was centered around her family, they were the light of her life. Her strength and kindness will be carried on by all who loved her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 years, Lance; children, Ellen (Todd) Lundgren, of Fertile, and John (Valerie) Burtness, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Zack (Natalie) Lundgren, of Prole, Chase (Jordan) Burtness, of Cedar Falls and Cameron Burtness, of Fertile; beloved great-grandchildren, Braxton and Blake Burtness and Baby Lundgren due in March;  siblings, Donna (Ron) Hawkins, Mark Brinton, Mary Brinton, Deb (Kevin) Knoll, and Lisa (Rod) Meints; Lance’s siblings, JoAnn Bailey and Larry (Janet) Burtness; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Homer and Anna Mae; parents-in-law, Lester and Doris Burtness; and a sister-in-law, Janice (Spence) Abrams. 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.