Burdette Knous left for heaven from her Creede, Colo., home at the age of 92 on July 14, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband Merle Knous, who departed from their home at the age of 92 in 2017.
Burdette was born in 1933, to a family in Missouri. After her mother passed, her three eldest siblings were adopted by one family, and Burdette and her older sister Judy were adopted by Lena and Roy Graham in Columbus, Indiana. The Grahams gave the girls happy, wholesome childhoods full of vanilla ice cream cones and down-home Christian love.
After high school, Burdette went to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she joined the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma and made many lifelong friends.
After college, Burdette met and quickly fell in love with Merle. They were married 70 years ago in Columbus, Indiana and then made their life together in Denver, Colo.
Burdette was a beloved wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother and friend. She was politically active and worked hard at every job she had. During her work in Denver as a member of the Colorado State Board of Parole, Burdette found joy advocating for and encouraging people’s positive potential.
In 1992, Burdette and Merle opted for a lifestyle change and moved to Creede for the fresh air and beautiful mountains. They thoroughly enjoyed their small town lives, spending quality time with family and friends while also working to help their community. Merle served as Mayor of Creede for a time and Burdette managed LaGarita Ranch for many years. Later, she enjoyed working for her friends at the beautiful Quiller Gallery in downtown Creede. For her last job, Burdette worked from home typing psychological evaluations that helped countless people get the jobs and benefits they needed.
Burdette felt blessed every time she was able to assist others. She gave generously from her heart and was happy to be a member of the Ladies Aid Society (a group in Creede that has been successfully meeting local needs since 1899).
Some of Burdette’s other favorite pastimes were socializing with friends, attending local entertainment, baking her mother’s orange bread, taking hikes with her dogs, playing bridge, and putting together countless puzzles.
As she aged, she was grateful for the quality healthcare she received from Creede Family Practice, Del Norte Hospital and the San Luis Care Center.
She spent her last days at home, surrounded by her family’s love, the sweet sight and smell of pink peonies in bloom (from her late husband’s garden), and frequent visits from her dear friend, Sylvia.
Burdette’s faith in God and the eternal hope for heaven gave her deep spiritual peace as she transitioned.
Burdette is survived by her three children (Douglas, James, and Nancy) four grandchildren (Hannah, Chalie, Julia, and Britta) and three great-grandchildren (Shaedon, Mikaiel, and Ruby).
While her family, friends and dogs will miss Burdette dearly, they are grateful her loving spirit is now resting in heavenly peace.
Burdette and Merle will always be remembered amongst the beautiful trees and perennial flowers of the mountainside garden Merle spent years cultivating.
There will be no open funeral service, but her family would be happy to receive written condolences sent to knousmemories@mail.com.
