Janet LaVerne Burnett

Janet LaVerne (Zilge) Burnett, (61), formerly of Mason City, IA. Died in Visalia CA., on June 28th in her home, surrounded by her family, after a brief battle with cancer.

She was the third child born to LuVerne and LaVerne (Lindgren) Zilge on May 25th, 1955 in Robbinsdale, MN. They moved to Mason City in 1969 and she graduated from MCHS in 1973. She worked several jobs in and around the area. Many years were spent at Zilge’s Appliance Center. While attending NIAAC, she married David E Schutz and raised Paul D Schutz from that marriage. Later, marrying Thomas W Burnett and having Dillon R Burnett. They were married for 28 years, until his death in 2010.

She misses her friends and playing 500 with the gals. She was a member and later President of “The Gardeners of North Iowa”, which her father had helped get on its feet in the 70’s. Flowers being a passion of hers, she brought it to California with her. She belonged to First Covenant Church in Mason City. She is a new member of Christ Lutheran Church in Visalia and has met many new angels along her path.

Both her sons were instrumental in getting her to CA. After living in one home for 30 years, this was a big step getting her closer to the beach and a place she could garden year round. Janet loved the beach and dreamed of living there one day. She took several group trips to various area beaches to collect shells and walk the beach. She developed an interest in succulents due to the CA drought and went on several garden tours to learn about all the new plants available to her. Janet enjoyed living close to the mountains and braved a few trips up to the Sequoia National Forest.

She is survived by her - Mother- LaVerne Zilge (Mason City); siblings- Susan (Steven) Wittwer (Plymouth, MN), Larry (Kathy) Zilge (Mason City); children- Paul (Ashley) Schutz, Dillon Burnett (Visalia, CA); grandchildren- Megan, Lauren, and Mason Schutz; nieces/nephews- Kris (Sara) Zilge (Mason City), Ryan (Jannah) Wittwer (Delano, MN), and Tina (John) Rudolph (Cedar Rapids, IA).

She is preceded by her husband Tom Burnett, father LuVerne Zilge and grandparents, aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Gardeners of North Iowa or the American Cancer Society.