Burnita Mary Lowder

BURNITA MARY LOWDER

Cedar Rapids

Burnita Mary Lowder, 81, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Cedar Rapids. Private services will be held. Per Covid guidelines, family attending are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Burnita is survived by her husband of 58 years, Philip Sr.; son, Philip (Sue) Lowder Jr. of Cedar Rapids; two grandsons, Ethan Lowder of St. Louis, Mo., and Lucas Lowder of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Kenneth (Cinda) Sand and David (Lindsay) Sand; two sisters, Donna (Gene) Van Horn and Marjorie (Kirk) Sand; and seven nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father- and mother-in-law; and two nieces.

Burnita was born on Jan. 27, 1940, in Independence, the daughter of Louis and Mary Michael Sand, and graduated in 1958 from Walker Consolidated High School. On Oct. 6, 1962, she married Philip Lowder at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Walker. Burnita enjoyed years working at Armstrong's Department Store and later at Taft Middle School. She was very strong in her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church.

Burnita often talked fondly of her and her husband's early years of marriage in Virginia. Later, they returned to Cedar Rapids, purchased their home of 55-plus years and raised their son Philip Jr. She adored her two grandsons and was very proud of them. When they were younger, she spent many afternoons taking them to the park, to get ice cream, or to go to children's movies. As they grew, she marveled at all of their accomplishments and was always present at their events. Burnita will be missed by her family and friends.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.