Obituary

Edwin Floyd Burr (Ed), 90, of Lee’s Summit, MO, died Sunday morning, May 21, 2023, in John Knox Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO.  He was born February 10, 1933, in LaHarpe, IL, the son of Harold Claire Burr and Sadabelle Cook Burr.  Ed married Sue Yvonne Benge, June 12, 1960, at the United Methodist Church in North Liberty, IA.  Ed is survived by his wife Sue Burr of Lee’s Summit; his two daughters Brenda Sue Herrmann (husband, Darren) of Blue Springs, MO, and Elana Lynn Plowman (husband, J. Philip) of Ashburn, VA; Grandsons Dallas Herrmann (wife, Carrie) of Conway, Arkansas, and Andrew Plowman of Ashburn, VA; Granddaughters Kara Sue Benson (husband, Lance) of North Little Rock, AR, and Jessica Plowman of Ashburn, VA; sister Rhoda Gibson of Henderson, NV; nephews and a niece; and some wonderful friends.

Ed graduated from Keokuk Senior High School, Keokuk, IA.  He attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA and the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.  Ed loved music and played the alto saxophone in both his high school and college bands.  He was also in Thespians.

Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and was sent to Vienna, Austria, where he was attached to the Vienna Command Signal Corps.  His rank was Corporal.  He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).  Returning from military service, Ed continued his college courses at the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Sue, in Principles of Economics Class and at Wesley Foundation.  In 1957, he graduated from Iowa City Commercial College.

Ed was employed by an insurance company, Employers Mutual Casualty, Des Moines, IA for 39 1/2 years.  In 1964, he was transferred to the Kansas City branch office.  In 1998, he retired as a Senior Multiple Line Underwriter.

Ed was very active in several organizations.  He was a boy scout and later served as a Scout Master.  He was a Father Advisor for Indian Princesses and Rainbow Girls.  In 1956, he became a Master Mason in Eagle Lodge #12 in Keokuk, IA.  Later, he transferred to Kansas City Swope Park Lodge #617.  In 1982, he became a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry.  In 1991, he received the Knight Commander Court of Honour designation.  In 1994, he was elected Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix.  In 2006, he received his 50-Year Masonic Membership pin.  In 2013, he received the Inspector General Honorary of the 33rd Degree, the highest and last degree.

In 1970, Ed became a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and the Wesley Sunday School Class.  He was active in Methodist Men.  He served on many committees, which included Evangelism Chairman and Church Door Greeters.  In 1994, he received a Special Recognition Award from St. Luke’s United Methodist Women for his service.

Ed was a member of Grandview Squares and Harpers Hoppers square dance clubs.  He was a member of the American Legion.  He volunteered at Hickman Mills Community Assistance Council and was a Meals-on-Wheels driver.  He volunteered at the Kansas City VA Medical Center.  He went on the 2017 Heartland Honor Flight, which takes U.S. military veterans to visit war Memorials in Washington, D.C.

Ed enjoyed camping with his family and attending his daughters’ and grandchildren’s activities.  He enjoyed traveling with Fun-Time Tours and the Bank of Lee’s Summit and with Elana and family when they lived in London and Vienna.  In their later years, Ed and Sue enjoyed yoga and low-impact aerobics classes together.

Services are scheduled at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 9420 James A. Reed Road, Kansas City, MO, May 30.  Visitation at 9:30 am, Funeral at 10:30 am.  Burial with military honors to be held at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO at 2 pm.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3^rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063