Donna Ruth Burdett's Obituary
On July 2nd, 2017, our dad reached out from heaven to get mom’s hand and guided her home to be an angel with him.
Donna Ruth Burdett was born on November 22, 1934. She left this world to join her husband on this day surrounded by her loving family. She was 82 years old. She was born in Dexter, Kansas to Henry and Verna Kennedy. She joined 2 brothers Gene and Andrew and a sister Jessie. Later another brother Gearld joined the family.
She was educated in Cedar Vale and graduated in May of 1953.
She married Bill Jones in 1955 to which a daughter Dawn was born. They divorced later. On November 6th, 1959, she married Allen Burdett. A son Rex was born November 8 of 1960. In 1969, Allen adopted Dawn competing their family.
Over the years she worked for the school system in Grenola as a bus driver then in the office. She worked for the Atlanta school as a cook then as head cook. She also worked for Cedar Vale school system as head cook. She also furthered her education and became a beauty shop owner in Grenola while the children were in school. In her retirement years, she traveled with Allen across the United States as he worked as an inspector on pipelines.
Her enjoyments were sewing for her grandchildren while they were small, traveling with her husband, going on trips with her close friend Sue Roe who became like a sister. She enjoyed going to casinos with her daughter Dawn and playing bingo, and watching Kansas Jayhawks play basketball.
On Memorial Day, the family held a 4 generation picnic with brothers, her children and her “sister” Sue and Don Roe. There was a good time with lots of pictures which was her last wish.
She was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Allen of 56 years and 2 months, her sisters Jessie and Thaice, her parents Verna and Henry, a niece Janet Kennedy, her nephews Darrel and Randy Kennedy, and her in-law: Geraldine Kennedy; Sam and Maxine Burdett; Alfred and Fern Burdett; Cleo and Alma Bainter, and Silas and Mamie Burdett.
She is survived by: her daughter Dawn Harrington of the home, her son Rex Burdett of Red Cloud Nebraska, her grandchildren: Larry (Brittany) Hull of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, James Vogele of Mount Pleasant, Texas; Joshua (Brande) Voegele of Harper, Kansas, David (Racheal ) Leonard of Federal Way Washington, 11 great grandchildren, her brothers Andrew and Gary (Barbra) Kennedy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Gene (Lou) Kennedy of Sedan, Kansas, sister Sue (Don) Roe of Grenola, a sister-in-law Mary Alice (Ron) Allison of Grenola, a host of nieces and nephews; her special friends---Carolyn Hill of Grenola, and the hospice team.
Honorary pall bearers are her 4 grandsons, Larry, James, Joshua and David and Don Roe. On-line condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com The family suggests memorial to Kindred Hospice of Winfield, Kansas and the Grenola Christian Church. Cremation has been effected and a private graveside service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 East Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.
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