Lois Burns, age 78, of Aurora, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Hearthstone in York.
Lois’s wishes were to be cremated. Lois’s ashes will be inurned at Aurora Cemetery at a later date. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Hamilton County Food Pantry or the Youth Center. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com
Lois Elaine Burns, the daughter Ralph and Hilda (Johnson) Willis was born at Grand Island, on December 2, 1947, and passed away at York, on September 24, 2026, at the age of 78.
Lois attended school in Aurora through the 6th grade. She then went to live with her sister, Alice Johnson and brother-in-law, Gordon, in Polk, where she graduated from Polk High School in 1966.
Lois married James Wochner and they had three children: Willie, Randy and Kathy. They were later divorced.
Lois worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several Aurora businesses. Her job transferred her to Kearney in 1993, where Lois worked at a crop insurance agency in Kearney and later in Minden before she retired. Lois married Ron Burns on June 22, 2002, at Kearney.
Lois loved going to watch her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids activities. She loved spending time with her family and friends and was an avid Nebraska Volleyball and Basketball fan. Lois never met a stranger and had a zest for life.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kathy Wochner; two brothers, Bob Willis and Ted Swanson and two brothers-in-law, Gordon Johnson and Bob Russell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ron Burns of Aurora; two sons, Willie (Yvonne) Wochner of Sutton Randy (Danyelle) Wochner of Hampton; daughter, Rowena Cruz of Valentine; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her 2 sisters, Darlene Russell of Grand Island and Alice Johnson of Polk; sister-in-law, Genene Willis of Aurora; brother, Terry (Pat) Willis of Aurora and many other relatives and friends.
Lois Burns
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