Obituary of Lynn Frederick Burnette

Lynn Frederick Burnette, 77, passed away peacefully at McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado on January 9, 2022 with family by his side. Lynn was born in Winner, SD and grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation near Mission. His family belongs to the Sicangu band of the Lakota people. He has one older brother and five younger siblings. He grew up on a ranch and by the age of eight, Lynn could harness horses and drive to the creek bottom to cut trees and drag them home. He became a working cowboy and later a rodeo cowboy, doing everything from roping calves to riding broncs and bulls. He is a Vietnam Veteran and was proud to serve his country from 1965-67. He had three sons Lynn Jr., Cody and Ryan, with his first wife Lou. He moved to California where he worked for Pacific Gas & Electric as journeyman lineman, then Nevada, Wyoming and ultimately Colorado. In 1999, Lynn met Lorie at a coffee shop she owned in Loveland and they FINALLY married in 2015. They settled in Loveland where he pursued his passion for painting. Lynn started sketching as a child and always carried a sketch pad with him, drawing horses and other animals, scenery, still life and people. He created a "tea painting” technique for his background to help dictate how his paintings would come to life. He told stories with deep thoughtfulness and reflection of his Native American heritage through his art and has become well-known for his unique style and talent. Lynn loved nothing more than telling colorful jokes or a great animated story waiting for the inevitable laugh, eye roll or groan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend to many. Lynn is survived by his wife, Lorie Burnette of Loveland, siblings Brent (Kathy) Burnette of Payson, AZ, Josette (Jim) Dornoff, Dee Blumeyer of Watertown, SD, Faith (Frieda Hulka) Burnette, Franklin (Angie) of Anchorage, AK. Candace (Tom Smith) Burnette, all of Reno, NV; his sons, Lynn Jr. (Sarah), Rockland, WI, Cody (Lane Terrell) Burnette of Dallas, TX and Ryan (Jenn) Burnette of Blackfoot, SD; his stepdaughter, Adrienne (Evan) Brown of Sparks, NV and stepson Christopher Sturmer (Sha Mei) of Kunming, China and his grandchildren Couver, Camden, Sam, Bo, Kaurie, Evelyn, Andeara, Amelia, Zoey and Bryan. He is preceded in death by his brother Van and his parents Elinor and Joe (Juel) Burnette. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte, SD, @ LakotaYouth.org.