Lisa Ann (McKernan) Burns, 57, of Wabash IN passed peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 at 12:37 am at Wabash Parkview Hospital. She was born November 4th, 1968 in Los Angeles, California to David and Margaret (Nelson) McKernan. She graduated from Wabash High school in 1988, where she enjoyed being a part of the track team. She went on to get an Associates at the International Business School before going on to graduate with a Bachelors from Purdue University in 1995. In October 1995, she married Rick Burns at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash, IN. Together they shared a lot of love and welcomed three beautiful children, who became their world.
She is survived by her three children, Keaton (Eli) Stwalley-Burns, Kelsey (Jordan) Holley, Karsen (Kaitlyn Brown) Burns; two grandchildren Peyton and Acelynn Holley; sister, Christina McKernan; niece, Kaitlynn McKernan; father of her children, Rick Burns; and mother in law, Beverly Burns, all of Wabash IN.
She is preceded in death by her parents David and Margaret McKernan; sister, Janet McKernan; and granddaughter, AnnaLynn Holley.
Lisa loved her family and being around them more than anything, not just the family she was born into, but the family she created through friendships that lasted a lifetime. Lisa’s children were her greatest accomplishments. She beamed with joy anytime she talked about them. She cherished her children’s partners and accepted them as her own. Lisa will always be a keystone in the lives of her children and grandchildren as their family continues to grow. Lisa celebrated everyone’s wins, big or small, and offered comfort through every hardship. She took people in and made them feel welcome and safe no matter the reason. She had a gift for making everyone feel loved, accepted, and special.
The only thing that rivaled her love for family was her love for dancing. Lisa was the life of every party. There was never a boring time with her around; if she wasn’t cracking jokes or making people laugh with her playful spirit, then she was dancing up a storm. Lisa was always full of life and embraced it with joy, laughter, and a sense of adventure.
Florida was Lisa’s happy place. She loved walking the beach searching for shells, floating on her back in the ocean or pool, soaking in all the sunshine, going to listen to live music and dancing wherever she could. Most importantly she loved being there with her family making memories. Lisa loved Florida so much she was determined to make the trip in June and got to soak up lots of sun and ocean breezes.
Lisa was the most caring woman around. She was always there to help anyone in need. She never hesitated to drop everything she was doing to help someone. She never asked for anything in return. The compassion, generosity, and kindness of Lisa’s actions and spirit touched countless lives.
One of Lisa’s cherished treasures was her lifelong sister group. This sisterhood consisted of; Christina McKernan, Anita Eads, Rita Gressley, Jennie Terrell, and Lisa. They shared an incredible bond that went deeper than friendship. Through years of laughter, dancing, road trips, traveling, celebrations, tears, hardships, loss, raising children together, they stood beside each other. Their love never wavered through all the different seasons of life. Through thick and thin they were inseparable. They created a beautiful family that will continue to grow through generations full of love and support.
Although Lisa’s earthly dance has ended, her spirit will live on in every dance floor, every sunset over the ocean, and every laugh and memory shared among family and friends. Lisa leaves behind a legacy of love, laughing, dancing, and being so full of life. The memories of Lisa will continue to inspire everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
The celebration of life will be Saturday September 12th at Wabash Elks 225 W Main St, Wabash, IN 46992.
Come and help celebrate the life of the women who did it all. The first half of the celebration will consist of lunch, mingling, sharing memories, looking at photos, etc. The second half of the celebration will consist of live music, dancing, and a big ol party! Come for the whole day, come for part, or come and go as you please!
– Doors open at 11 am
– Lunch starts at 12pm
— Lunch will be a potluck style with Meat provided. Lisa loved a good meal so bring your favorite dish to share
– Kelsey will be giving a speech and then the floor will be open for other to speak or share memories from 1-2pm
– Ryan W Berner will start off the live music from 4-7pm
– Dinner starts at 7 pm
— Dinner will be hot dogs, nachos, chili and cheese machines, and pasta (Lisa always used her chili and cheese machines for parties so it had to be used for her celebration)
– 35 Trax will end the night from 8-11pm
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lisa Ann (McKernan) Burns, please visit our floral store.