BURDETT, Donna Ruth (Kennedy) - b. November 22, 1934 - d. July 3, 2017

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Donna Ruth Burdett was born on November 22, 1934.  She left this world at the age of 82 to join her husband on July 3, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Dexter, Kansas on November 22, 1934 to Henry and Verna Kennedy.  She joined two brothers, Gene and Andrew, and a sister, Jessie.  Later, another brother, Gearld, joined the family.

Donna was educated in Cedar Vale, Kansas and graduated in May of 1953.  She married Bill Jones in 1955, and a daughter, Dawn was born to this union which later ended in divorce.  On November 6, 1969, Donna married Allen Burdett.  A son, Rex, was born November 8, 1960.  In 1969, Allen adopted Dawn, completing their family.

Over the years, Donna worked for the school system in Grenola, Kansas as a bus driver and later worked in the office.  She worked for the Atlanta, Kansas school system as a cook, then as the head cook.  She also worked for the Cedar Vale, Kansas school system as the head cook.  Donna furthered her education and became the owner of a beauty shop 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.

Donna's enjoyments were sewing for her grandchildren while they were small, traveling with her husband, and going on trips with her close friend, Sue Roe, who became like a sister. She enjoyed going to casinos with her daughter, Dawn, playing Bingo, and watching Kansas Jayhawks play basketball.  On Memorial Day 2017, the family held a four 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.

Donna 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 Voegele of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Joshua (Brande) Voegele of Harper, Kansas, and David (Racheal) Leonard of Federal Way, Washington; 11 great-grandchildren; her brothers, Andrew Kennedy and Gary (Barbara) Kennedy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Gene (Lou) Kennedy of Sedan, Kansas; her sister, Sue (Don) Roe of Grenola, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Mary Alice (Ron) Allison of Grenola, Kansas; a host of nieces and nephews; her special friend, Carolyn Hill of Grenola, Kansas; and her Hospice Team.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Allen Burdett; her sisters, Jessie and Thaice; her parents, Verna and Henry Kennedy, a niece, Janet Kennedy; her nephews, Darrel and Randy Kennedy; and her in-laws, Geraldine Kennedy, Sam and Maxine Burdett, Alfred and Fern Burdett, Cleo and Alma Bainter, and Silas and Marnie Burdett.

Cremation has been effected, and a private graveside service will be held.  The family suggests memorials to Kindred Hospice of Winfield, Kansas or the Grenola Christian Church of Grenola, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)