Katherine Susan Lien Burton

Katie Burton passed away on November 13, 2021 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City with her husband Brett at her side. Katie was born on September 15, 1981 in Salt Lake City to Kathy and Rick Lien. When she was a baby, her brother bragged that she was the prettiest baby in the whole wide world. Katie was a kind and sweet little girl and that never changed as she grew older.

As a kid, Katie was passionate about gymnastics and soccer. She played soccer for the Firebirds Soccer Club, East High School, Utah State University and University of the Ozarks. She graduated from the U of O with a degree in sociology. She later attended Rockhurst University and Washburn University and obtained a masters degree in special education.

Katie married Brett Burton on May 7, 2011 in a beautiful ceremony at Mildale Farm in Kansas. Katie and Brett made their home in Olathe, Kansas. They enjoyed traveling, Kansas State football games, and spending time with family and friends. Katie was a special education teacher in Topeka and Shawnee Mission until her illness would no longer allow her to work.

Katie battled several blood disorders, finally succumbing to leukemia. She fought hard for 10 years with her husband and mom by her side through countless clinic visits and hundreds of days and nights in the hospital.

Katie is survived by her devoted husband and best friend Brett, parents Kathy and Rick, brother Kris Lien, his wife Melinda and their kids, Owen, Olivia, Violet,  and Ava, aunts and uncles Susan and Jim Hohenboken, Tim and Lillian Lien, Janine and Dale Hudiburgh, Doug Gillen, Gail Heinrich, Mary Gillen, and several cousins. Katie was loved and will be deeply missed by Brett’s parents Rick and Carolyn Burton, his sister and brother-in-law Jana and Jay Mastin, and their daughter Alyssa.

We will celebrate Katie’s life on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Always and Furever, an animal sanctuary where Katie and Brett volunteered, at www.alwaysandfurever.org.

We will celebrate Katie's life on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Thompson Barn, 11184 Lackman Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.