Mary T. Burnham

Mary Teresa Burnham, age 81, of Junction City, died October 23, 2021, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.

Mary was born May 3, 1940, in Minot, North Dakota, the daughter of Raymond and Margeurite (nee Schaefer) Frank. She graduated from Minot State Teacher's College where she studied to be a nurse. After graduation, she joined the Army.

During her career in the military, Mary was first stationed at Ft. Sam Houston where she spent time on the range learning to shoot and practiced going through the gas chamber. She was then sent to Ft. Hood where she cared for patients in the burn ward. Her next assignment was Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii where she was commissioned as a Captain. There she cared for soldiers returning from Vietnam. At the end of the third year in Hawaii, she received orders for Ft. Riley, KS. Mary was disappointed and wrote several letters requesting to go to Vietnam. She was told that Ft. Riley needed a nurse with her MOS and that her orders would not change. A few months into her assignment at Fort Riley, she met her future husband and love of her life, Tom Burnham, on a blind date. Mary was on the list to make Major followed by orders to a new assignment. Mary decided to resign her commission so they could make their life and raise a family in Junction City.

After leaving the military, Mary worked for the JC-Geary County Health Department for two years doing home health and establishing prenatal classes. She then worked for USD 475 as a school nurse for 32 years. She worked at several schools in Ft. Riley and Junction City and retired as the school nurse at the High School. She loved the students she took care of and kept in touch with many after their graduation.


After retirement, Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling and spoiling her 2 rescue dogs, Oscar and Jazz.

Mary is survived by Tom (Carl) Burnham, her husband of 54 years. Mary is also survived by her three daughters: Sarah Burnham and David Pulliam, of Olathe, KS, Amy Marsh of Helena, Montana and Laura and Kyle Bodenstab of Lenexa, KS; her brothers James (Tammy) Frank of Fargo, ND and Paul (Andrea) Frank of Bismark, ND; and 4 grandchildren.

Mary touched countless people during her time in the military and in public health. Her kind and generous spirit will be missed every day.

Cremation will take place. A memorial mass will take place 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 1, 2021 at St. Xavier Catholic Church with Fr. Gnanasekar Kulandi officiating. Inurnment will follow the service at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery. A visitation will be held 5-7 Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Home with rosary at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice House, 3801 Vanesta Drive in Manhattan, KS.