Topeka – Cynthia Jean (Johansen) Burnett passed away in Topeka, Kansas on November 25, 2024. Cynthia was born to Stacy Arden and Sheri Jean (Jones) Johansen on December 5, 1957, in Lawrence, Kansas. Cynthia was the second of five children born to her parents.
Cynthia spent her grade school years living in Lyndon, Kansas. She was active in Brownies, 4-H, United Methodist Youth Group and other organizations. Each of those summers, her family would spend a week or maybe even two weeks at the Lake of the Ozarks. There would be swimming, boating and fun time spent with aunts, uncles and cousins. She had an endless number of stories to tell of those joyful times.
During the summer between the eighth grade and freshman high school year, the family moved to a farm southwest of Melvern, Kansas. This required leaving friends behind and making new friends at a new school. A transition that Cynthia quickly navigated with the use of her outgoing personality. She took part in high school sports, pep club, student council and many other activities. She graduated as a member of the Melvern Class of 1975. Following graduations, she spent one year at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. It was during the second semester that Cynthia’s schizophrenia became apparent. It was the beginning of a lifetime of struggles, with good years interrupted by setbacks. Her mental illness demanded many sacrifices from her in her life. Even still, she maintained a household, crochet numerous scarves and blankets for family, neighbors and friends. Other activities she enjoyed were being a K-State football season ticket holder for 20 plus years, traveling to K-State bowl games, attending nieces and nephews school events, attending movies, eating out, decorating both the inside and outside of the home for all of the holidays, and reading books together with her husband. She was a member of the First UMC of Topeka. Through all the ups and downs, she never wavered in her faith. She was a caring and loving person who epitomized the Golden Rule. She loved all from family to friends, neighbors and people she just met. She never had an unkind word for anyone. So, if you ever felt unloved, you were wrong.
Cynthia and Stephen Burnett were married on August 21, 1976, at the Melvern UMC. They spent their entire marriage in Topeka.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Andrew, would die as an infant, younger sister Kathleen Johansen, and brother-in-law Robert Grimmett.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen, younger brother Jon Johansen, younger sister Kristina Villaca and husband Paulo, and sister-in-law Susan Grimmett. Nieces Kyleigh Roberson and husband Ryan, and Isabella Villaca and fiancé Zach Logsdon. Nephews Andrew Villaca and wife Ashlynne, Stephen Grimmett, Michael Grimmett, and John Grimmett. Great-nephews Nathan Roberson, and Winston Grimmett.
The family would like to thank the management and staff at Countryside Mental Health and all the other mental health professionals that provide loving care to our dear Cynthia throughout her journey. Memorial contributions may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas and sent to Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon KS 66451. Cremation has taken place and private services will take place at a later date.
