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Mary Lorene (Cowan) Burns of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away on December 26, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lorene was born on August 3, 1935 to parents Elmer Ershel and Carrie Helen Wood-Cowan in Checotah, Oklahoma, where she grew up and attended school. Lorene worked in multiple occupations, including jobs as a seamstress and a shoe store clerk while raising her children. Lorene married David Burns on September 7, 1979 in Miami, Oklahoma. Lorene was a nurturer at heart. She was deeply fond of plants and animals. She tended to the many birds that visited her backyard, and even rescued several baby birds and, once, a baby squirrel. Her children remember several pets, including a racoon and an angelfish she named Duke. Her sweet dog, Molly, was her beloved companion throughout her later years. Aside from animals and plants, Lorene was widely regarded for her cooking and baking skills, especially her pies and potato salad, and she was proud to fill the bellies of those she loved. She had a gentle heart, and she expressed her love through acts of kindness. Above all else, she loved her family. She enjoyed vacationing in the mountains with her husband, Dave, playing Trivial Pursuit with her sisters, and bringing everyone together for large family gatherings. Memorably, she celebrated her 90th birthday in August surrounded by her husband and late sister, Nora, along with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She is survived by husband, Dave Burns, of the home; son, Randy Acker and Twyla; daughter, Vickie Johnson; son, Dennis Acker; son, Kevin Girty and Mary; daughter Kelli Burns Cox; grandchildren Timothy Acker, Tiffany Soares and Pedro, Matthew Johnson and Jill, Todd Johnson and Jaquetta, Carrie Bishop and Worm, Christopher Acker, Krystal Acker, Lindsey Killebrew, Cayden Cox, Shawn Burns, Derrick Burns, Stephanie Burns. Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Ershel aka “Shorty” and Carrie Cowan; two sisters, Shirley Taylor and Nora Parsons; one Brother, Donald Cowan; daughter Rhonda McCullar; son Jamie Burns; grandson Anthony aka “Tony” Johnson; and John Killebrew. Viewing and Visitation Thursday, January 1, 2026 from 5pm-7pm. Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 2, 2026 at 1:00pm at Hayhurst Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Bro. David Crump and Bro. West officiating. Pallbearers: Randy Acker, Kevin Girty, Cayden Cox, Kenneth Self, Lonnie Crumbliss, Ed Johnson Honorary Pallbearer: Dennis Acker

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Lorene Burns

August 3, 1935 - December 26, 2025