April M. Burns

After four long, hard fought years battling cancer, it is with sadness to announce that April M. Burns, age 44, passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Midland Hospice House.

April was born on September 30, 1980, in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Debra Sculley.

On February 3, 2000, April married her beloved sweetheart, Jasper Burns, Sr., sharing 25 years of marriage together.

Always up for an adventure, April loved riding and taking trips with Jasper on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being able to explore and share experiences with the wind in her face brought her great joy and she felt at peace while relaxing on a ocean beach. April was an avid pool player and loved to challenge friends and strangers to a game of shooting pool. Her greatest love and joy were her family. As a protective mother and known as a “Momma Bear,” her kids brought her the greatest joy. It has been said that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. April fought her cancer battle with courage, strength and hope. We will miss her dearly, but we take comfort she can rest at peace and no longer endure the challenges she was faced with.

Survivors include her husband, Jasper Burns, Sr.; son, Jasper Burns, Jr., (fiancé Brianna Beasley); daughter, Makayla Burns; granddaughter, Emilee Burns; mother, Debra Sculley; and four sisters, Lori Balderston (Ryan), Latasha McPherson, Dana Woosley, and Casandra Woosley.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate April’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.