Jeanne Rae Burg

JeAnne was born in a farm home near Coleridge, NE to Vera Larsen Cooper and Bert Cooper. She has two brothers – Jim Cooper, Laurel, NE and Dr. Jack Cooper of Ashland, NE. JeAnne attended a one room school house where she skipped a couple of grades before transferring to the local high school and graduating at age 15. JeAnne attended Nebraska State Teachers (Wayne State), graduated at age 19 and then taught high school physics and mathematics for a year. Next JeAnne graduated from the University of Nebraska with a master's degree in Chemistry.  It was also during a chemistry class that JeAnne and Bill met. They married in 1960 and then took turns putting each other through graduate school. JeAnne taught physics and mathematics at Ravenna High School while Bill completed his PhD at Kent State (OH). Later when the Burgs moved to Cincinnati, OH, Bill taught at the University of Cincinnati (UC) while JeAnne took care of their two children and earned a PhD in Environmental Science from UC in 1975.

Upon graduation, JeAnne joined the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) when she started work at National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Even working fulltime, she continued to volunteer for their children’s school activities and church, even serving as a Presbyterian Elder.  Bill and JeAnne later moved to Atlanta, GA where JeAnne worked on the newly legislated Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and then for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) before retiring. JeAnne served 24 years in the USPHS and retired as a scientist with the rank of Captain. She authored over 150 articles and chapters in refereed journals, books and presentations. She was also elected to the prestigious position as a "Fellow" in the American Statistical Association.

Bill and JeAnne retired in 2000.  JeAnne passed away in Atlantic Beach, Florida after an arduous battle with Parkinson’s on October 3, 2020.

The Burg family includes a daughter, Samantha S. Burg and a son Timothy C. Burg and his wife, Karen J.L. Burg and their two sons, Tre and Tai Burg.

JeAnne was such an amazing person with so many talents.  We saw her as a wife, a mother, a scientist, a scholar, a homemaker, a partner, a caregiver, a Christian, a friend and a “tough farm girl” from Nebraska. Throughout her life, JeAnne was always a trailblazer and although we miss and grieve her now, we are comforted to know that she gone ahead of us to Heaven where she and Jesus will welcome us Home someday.  Well done good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation at: https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/2017_donate_form_2.html?_ga=2.246484356.1483921550.1602099538-1081014947.1602099538