Margaret Alice Burns

Margaret Alice Burns, age 88, of Council Bluffs, Iowa passed away June 9, 2016. She was born July 26, 1927 in Westlake, Illinois to the late William and Berniece (Smith) Polkow. Margaret graduated from Proviso High School in 1945 and studied nursing between 1945 and 1948 at Huber Memorial Hospital in Pana, IL. She was part of the United States Cadet Nurses Corps and worked as a staff nurse, charge nurse, and director of nursing in Chicago and San Francisco before meeting her husband, the late Dr. Robert F. Burns at Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. Margaret and Robert were married on his 32nd birthday, June 25, 1960 in Maywood, IL. Margaret loved and supported her family and friends through all life's vagaries and challenges and was grateful for all the blessings in her life. An avid reader and feminist, she enjoyed lively, informed discussion and stayed active by gardening, entertaining, and travel. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Dr. Robert F. Burns in 2012, and her daughter, Cindy Burns in 1984. Margaret is survived by her daughters Michele Burns of Minneapolis, MN, Dr. Lisa (Joachim Mueller) Burns of Montpelier, VT, and Dr. Kristina Burns of Austin, TX, and son Bill (Katie) Burns of Jonesboro, AR; four beloved grandchildren, Danny, Lexi, Elena, and Ian; brothers, Kenneth Polkow of Homer Glen, IL and Harold Polkow of Bellwood, IL, as well as numerous other friends and extended family. Memorials may be directed to the Council Bluffs Public Library or the Micah House in Council Bluffs, IA.