Kimberly Rae Sanko was born on April 4, 1969. She was adopted by the only father she knew, Bruce Adams, when she turned 16. She graduated from McNary High School in Salem in 1987. Kim met her future husband at Skate Palace in Salem.

Kim married Forest Gleaman Burks on September 10, 1988, and moved to Albany. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Kim worked at the Church for many years and loved to sing. Kim loved her family and friends and making people happy. She was kind and compassionate with others, and always made time to help someone. She was a clerk at the Albany Fred Meyer beginning in November 2008 for close to two years.

She is survived by her husband Forest Gleaman Burks; son Caleb (U.S. Marines), daughter Sierra of Albany; her service dog Coby; parents Bruce and Sandra Adams; uncle Brian Adams of Keizer; aunt Lynda Wolfenbarger (Lee Schroeder) of Corvallis; aunt Cheryl Wolfenbarger-Halliday (Michael Halliday) of Wilsonville; father and mother in law Forest and Arlene Burks of Sweet Home; brothers-in-law Tim (Traci) Burks and Jon (Amy) Burks; sister-in-law Debbie Grove (Al); and numerous nieces and nephews.