Rogene Burton, 88, departed from this world on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Stillwater Medical Center with family by her side.

The family will host private gatherings to share stories about Rogene, celebrate her life, and honor her memory.

Born on August 27, 1937 in Morris, OK, Rogene grew up in Okmulgee, where she was embraced by a large and loving extended family and later graduated from high school. Then along came an Oklahoma A&M Tech student named Bill Burton who spotted her working in the ticket booth at the local theater, and he was smitten. She was equally smitten and married the love of her life on August 6, 1955. The two were married for almost 46 years, and two daughters were born of that union -- Cynthia and Catherine.

Life took Rogene on some grand adventures, and she made homes and friendships in Muskogee, Oklahoma; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bonner Springs, Kansas; Konawa, Oklahoma; and Stillwater, Oklahoma. The family also created treasured memories during summers spent in Denver, Colorado; Eufaula, Oklahoma; and the Gulf Coast, following Bill's work.

From a young age, Rogene fully embraced the beauty and the mystery of the Christian faith, which shaped her life, guided her decisions, and sustained her through life's storms. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Okmulgee during her youth and later devoted more than 50 years to the Konawa First United Methodist Church, where she was known as a servant leader. Gifted with accounting and finance skills, she served on the church's finance committee for 15 years and chaired it for several. She was an active member of the Konawa United Methodist Women, serving as treasurer many years. With a love for music, she led children's Sunday School music for over a decade and supported young musicians as a member of the Konawa High School Band Boosters. Rogene served her community as a member and treasurer of Konawa's Golden Acres Senior Citizens Center Site Council for a decade.

Professionally, she worked as a pharmacy tech, then a banker until her retirement in 1999. Her great loves included attending Okmulgee High School class of 1955 reunions, singing in the church choir, dancing, and keeping scrapbooks to chronicle the life of her beloved family.

She leaves behind her daughter, Cynthia Burton; daughter, Catherine Shuffield and her husband, Terry; nephew, Michael Leak and his wife, Marla; niece, Lisa Denise; a great nephew and great nieces; numerous cousins; and lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; her sister, Rozana Perico; and her parents.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to her physicians and to the kind souls at Stillwater Christian Villa, Westhaven Nursing Center, Golden Oaks Village, and Stillwater Medical Center who loved and cared for Rogene during her golden years.