Dennis Floyd Burns

Dennis was born on October 10, 1946, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to J.E. Burns and Helen Marie (Deal) Burns.

He is survived by his wife, Janet (Sprunger) Burns; his daughters, Iman Kellie Burns-Khan (Khalid Khan) and Jennifer Michelle Burns; his granddaughters, Hannah Grace Burns (Shane Davis) and Amirah Sufia Burns-Khan; and his great-grandchildren, Aria Davis and Theo Davis. He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Burns and Theresa (Bob) Gathercole, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Denny’s dog, Pippa, was always by his side.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, J.E. Burns and Helen Marie Burns; his sister, Bette Keeling; and his brother, Michael Burns.

Denny graduated from East High School in Des Moines and attended Grand View College. Early in his career, he worked as an auditor for the Iowa Department of Revenue. Later, he co-produced the television shows Outdoor Encounters and Canada’s Arctic, which allowed him to travel across Canada, to the northern territories, and the Canadian Arctic. He hosted and guided many fly-in fishing trips and was appreciated for his good cooking and amazing adventures.

In the late 80’s, Denny worked at OPP (Our Primary Purpose), a treatment center for adolescents. His work there was very influential in his path to 38 years of sobriety.
Denny enjoyed playing golf and considered it the greatest game of all time. He was also an avid fan of many other sports. March Madness in Las Vegas was a highlight of his year, and during his visits, he connected with members of the homeless community, making it a priority to engage with and support them each time he returned. His greatest joy in life was to raise other’s spirits. He loved making a difference in people’s lives, whether that was giving someone the shoes off his feet or being goofy to make someone laugh.

Denny loved his family with his whole heart. He will be deeply missed at the Sunday dinner table, on family trips, and in countless other cherished moments. He is truly irreplaceable and unforgettable.

A celebration of Denny’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Valley View Village Chapel/Community Room, 2571 Guthrie Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Joppa, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless community. Or just give an unhoused person some money or a bit of your time as Denny would have done.

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