JoLe Ann "Mama Jo" (Griffis) Burge

JoLe Ann “Mama Jo” Burge, 75, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away October 20, 2025, at her home. She was born August 27, 1950, in Concordia, Kansas, the daughter of William Dean and Glenna (Glahn) Griffis. Jo has resided in Sterling for the past four years, formerly of Lyons, Kansas. She graduated from Lyons High School, with the class of 1968. Jo worked as a receptionist for Rice County Builder’s, Little River, secretary at Young Motor’s Company in Lyons, was owner and operator of Mama Jo’s Pizza in Lyons and worked as a dispatcher for Rice County from 2002 until 2015. After retirement, Jo became the nanny for Hadleigh Boeken. Jo was a member of the First Baptist Church, Lyons. She enjoyed gardening and loved her parrot “Tommy”. On June 11, 1971, Jo married James Savage. They later divorced. On October 31, 1992, Jo was united in marriage with Jerry Burge in Lyons. He preceded her in death on July 14, 2020. Jo is also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kylie Holder; and James Savage. Jo is survived by her three daughters, Tonya Depew of Lyons, KS, Tiffany Boeken and husband Tyler of Sterling, KS, and Jara LeGron and husband Dean of McPherson, KS; brother, Doug Griffis and wife Kathy of Cunningham, KS; sister, Rhonda Newman and husband Jim of Lyons, KS; thirteen grandchildren, Macreedy, Raegen, Rylee, Risa, Hadleigh, Dillon, Blaze, Hunter, Jade, Jace, Annie, Wyatt, and Hank; six great-grandchildren, Layton, Grayson, Laikynn, Gatlynn, Lextyn, and Rhyker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Dale Jordan officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present. Memorials may be given to Rice County Communications in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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