Keenan Ostler Burnham

Keenan Burnham 90, of Jerome, Idaho died quietly at his home on December 18, 2024. He was in the care of his loving family.

Keenan was born October 15, 1934 at his home. He was the first-born son of Lynn Wilden Burnham and Ruth Ostler Burnham. Because he was jaundice the doctor set him aside and said he wouldn't make it. With attentive and loving care of his grandmother, Edith Ostler, they showed the doctor, and he lived a very long and productive life.

He grew up working on his family farm. He attended school in the different schools in Jerome at the time, where he participated in several activities, his favorite being basketball. After graduation, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission. A few years after his return, he was serving on the activity committee when he met the love of his life, LaVisa Peterson. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 25, 1961 and they started their loving life and family. They soon started adding more to their loving home, having 3 daughters and 4 sons. 

Keenan worked many jobs in his life. He owned milk trucks which he sold. They then moved the family to Tremonton, Utah where he worked with his father-in-law as a carpenter. This is where he learned his love of wood working. They then came back to Idaho where started doing his second love, farming. He tried to start his own dairy, but it wasn't to be. He then started his most loved job working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a custodian. He started as a custodian at the old rock Stake Center. He then moved to the B street building. He met and served many wonderful people during his time as a custodian. He later became the mechanical custodian for a very large area of church houses. This job fit his personality the best. He felt this job brought him closer to his Savior thru love and service to others.

Keenan loved his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved being able to serve in different callings. He loved his many years serving as Seventy. He loved serving with the missionaries. He loved having the missionaries in his home feeding and giving any help they needed. It was a good example to his children in service. His favorite was working with the scouts. He loved doing all the camping and helping them earn badges. He served while his sons were scouts and still participated with scout camp to approximately in his seventies. He loved scouts because it drew him closer to his sons. He enjoyed his time being Gordon Ford's executive secretary. He just loved serving any way he could.

Keenan was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Leslie, David, Gary, and Perry; also by one son-in-law, Wayne Harris.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, LaVisa; brothers, Robert (Lorna) and Dennis (Janie); sister, Larene (Roger); sisters-in-law, Jennie Ann, Jane, and Rita; beloved children, Lisa, O'Dell (Patty), Byron (Heather), Sonya (Dave), Elmerlynn (Paige), Annette (Gary), and Willard (Sarah); and the lights of his life, 35 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerome Stake Center, 26 N Tiger Dr, Jerome. Grave dedication and military honors will conclude at Jerome Cemetery.