Coleen M. Burgess

Coleen Marie Burgess, the daughter of Mildred (Appl) and Charles Watson, was born May 15, 1938 at Leota, Kansas.  She departed this life on Thursday, March 18, 2021 surrounded by her family at her home at Esbon, Kansas.

Coleen received her formal education attending schools at Leota and then Karval, Colorado. She was married to Bobby Baker on July 14, 1956 and to this union four children were born, Roy, Ray, Deborah and Robert Baker. This marriage later dissolved.

In 2000, Coleen joined Gale Burgess and they were blessed with twenty-one wonderful years together, making their home on the farm northeast of Esbon. Coleen was active and energetic in a number of activities. She was a member of the Esbon Community Church. She enjoyed bowling in the weekly ladies league in Red Cloud. In her leisure time she also looked forward to fishing and making afghans, many of which she donated to the area nursing home residents. A dedicated and loving wife and mother, Coleen loved being outdoors and loved to mow, she was an excellent cook and baker and treasured the time spent with family and friends. Her personality was dominated by her caring and giving nature and she was always doing for others.

Surviving are her husband, Gale Burgess of Esbon, Kansas; children, Roy Baker of Covington, Georgia; Ray Baker of Rogers, Arkansas; Deborah and husband, Dana, Coletti of Covington, Georgia and Robert Baker and wife, Amber, of Franklin, Nebraska; step-children, Scott Burgess and partner, Scott MacDonald of Seward, Nebraska; Kristi Vandaveer and husband, Frank, of Osage, Oklahoma and Wes Burgess and wife, Bridget, of Milford, Nebraska; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and nephews. Also surviving are a sister Linda Boyd and husband, Jerry, of Burlington, Colorado; a brother, Jerry Watson and wife, Sandy, of Beaverton, Oregon; other relatives and her many friends.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, 10:30 am, March 24, 2021 at the Esbon Cemetery with Pastor Rodney Rose officiating.

Visitation will be held Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the family present for visitation on Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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