Cheryl Ann Burgess

Cheryl Ann Burgess, age 80, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family at her side on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2026, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, Nebraska, with Fr. Noah Huddleston as celebrant. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 10 a.m. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Memorials may be made in care of the family for later designation. The Rosary and Mass will be livestreamed and recorded on Cheryl’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Cheryl was born on January 25, 1946, in Hay Springs, Nebraska, to Harold ‘Pete’ and Neta (Bond) Olson. She grew up in the Sedgwick area where she graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1964. Cheryl then attended Chadron State College, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1971.

Cheryl met her husband, William ‘Bill’ Raymond Burgess, while attending college in Chadron. Together, the couple made their home in Alliance, where they raised their family. Cheryl worked as a teacher at Alliance Public Schools and St. Agnes Academy. She was also employed as a DJ at KPNY in Alliance for several years.

Cheryl relocated to Colorado to be near her grown sons and resided there for many years. She continued her passion for teaching at Elizabeth Middle School in Elizabeth, Colorado. Cheryl returned to Nebraska in 2018, where she has lived since.

She had an impact on many people and was a kind, supportive, and caring person. She was a wonderful friend, colleague, and beloved by her students and coworkers. Cheryl would work tirelessly and do whatever it took for her students, and they knew it. In addition to her love for teaching, Cheryl was a music enthusiast, and a proud member of The Country Club.

She took every opportunity to enjoy sunshine and could spend hours sitting on the porch, just soaking up the sun. Naturally, she admired the sunsets and nature. She also liked driving and road trips. She was continuously learning and teaching. Above all else, though, she deeply loved her grandchildren and would do absolutely anything for them.

Survivors include her mother, Neta Olson of Ovid, CO; son, John (Laura) Burgess of Scottsbluff; daughter-in-law, Shannon Burgess of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Josey (Grant) Pollock of Brighton, CO, Brody Burgess of Scottsbluff, Derek Drake of Windsor, CO, Kody Drake of Houston, TX, Hunter Drake of Layton, UT, Danea (Jesus) Tapia of Mead, CO, Shelby (Josh) Corr of Melbeta, NE, and Terran Burgess of Scottsbluff; great-grandchildren, Brynlee Corr and Barrett Pollock; siblings, Francis ‘French’ (Alberta) Olson of Hay Springs, NE, Linda Gleckler of Lenor City, TN, Steve (Lainey) Olson of Lakewood, CO, Lorraine (Joe) Shank of Ovid, CO, Wayne Olson of Johnstown, CO, Jerry (Deboraha) Olson of Gresham, OR, Sandra (Mark) Anderson of Windsor, CO, James (Marina) Olson of Tomahawk, WI, Tena Olson of Longmont, CO, and Janelle (Mark) Hately of Windsor, CO; numerous nieces, nephews, and many more extended family and friends.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her husband, William Burgess, in 1989; son, Eddie Burgess, in 2010; siblings, Michael Olson and Jolene Olson; niece, Amy; sister-in-law, Barbara (Burgess) Ferguson; and brother-in-law, Phil Glecker.