JoAnn F. McBurney, age 75, died Friday, August 7, 2026, at Randolph Health Services, Randolph, Wis., after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in Madison on October 31, 1950, to Lorraine (Peterson) and Lester Persinger. A 1969 graduate of Columbus High School, she went on to earn a degree in fashion merchandising from Patricia Stevens Career College in Milwaukee. Before her retirement, she worked for Physicians Insurance Company, now ProAssurance, in Madison. She was married for 10 years to Gerry McBurney of Ottawa, Canada.

JoAnn was an independent spirit with a quick wit and a deep love for reading, music, movies and good meals with family and friends. She loved to travel, visiting Mexico, northern California, the Grand Canyon and New Orleans, among many other places. She had a kind heart for all animals, but especially dogs, horses and cats.

JoAnn is survived by her sisters, Karen (Dan Sr.) Weinberger of Fall River and Linda (Jim) Longton of Loxley, Ala., nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Edwin Peterson and husband Gerry.

JoAnn's family would like to extend a special thank you to Randolph Health Services, Prairie Ridge Hospital, Columbus, and Dr. Parth Patel, MD.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with JoAnn's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com