Obituaries : Ronda Lee (Burkey) Walker

"Nene" Ronda Lee (Burkey) Walker, formerly of Vinton, died peacefully in her sleep on September 14, 2023 at the St. Lukes Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. She passed peacefully while her family tackled unusually heavy and crazy traffic trying to get to her in time, however in true Ronda fashion, she slipped away quickly to save her family the additional pain of seeing her go. She was a true protector until the very end.


Ronda was born on January 4, 1951 to Dean Burkey and Lyla (Geiger, Burkey) Wubbena in Iowa City, Iowa where she spent a majority of her life. She graduated from Washington High School in 1969.


Ronda was a natural caregiver from an early age and began work as a CNA at the age of 14. She continued in the nursing field until she retired in 2020 after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer. Ronda loved working in the area of geriatrics and took great pride (aka - she worked her butt off) to ensure her patients were well taken care of and had high standards on the type of care patients should receive. Throughout her life she earned her LPN, RN/BSN degrees, and became a Director of Nursing before working as a Home Health Care and Hospice nurse in Iowa, Minnesota, and for the last 20 years in Missouri.


On February 20, 1970 she married Lonny Dave Walker and she never looked back. Ronda and Lonny enjoyed life together - whether it was spent on the boat, fishing, taking drives, entertaining the grandkids, reading, or watching their favorite TV shows such as The Walking Dead or Dr. Jeff the Mountain Vet (whom she later met!) - they always had a good time. She loved traveling and with Lonny would often travel for fishing tournaments throughout the midwest. She enjoyed visiting Mexico, Canada, and several states. Even in her late 60s and 70s, Ronda jumped at the chance to go white water rafting in Colorado, enjoyed road trips, and would zipline whenever she could. She was not afraid of a challenge and showed this through her fierce independence and determination to enjoy life until the very end.


Ronda and Lonny moved to Kearney, Missouri in 2005 to be closer to the lake and their daughter Cody, her FAVORITE son-in-law Jeff, and her beautiful, talented, and precious granddaughters Isabel and Julia. While living in Missouri, Ronda enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and most of all her beloved pup Gypsy. Throughout her stroke related speech struggles she never forgot Gypsy or Jeff.


She was preceded in death by her husband Lonny, her mom Lyla and step dad Lawrence Wubbena, brother Rick Burkey, nephew Brok Burkey, Dean Burkey, lifelong family friends Chuck Phelps, Phil Doyle, and of course Jenny Whitson.


Her legacy continues with daughter Cody Walker (Jeffrey) Holmes, granddaughters Isabel and Julia Holmes, all of Kearney, Missouri. Her brother Roice Burkey of Alburnett, Iowa; Vonda; her bonus daughter Nikki and familia; the Brat, Joy Beth and family; #2; lifelong friend Leona Phelps; and multiple nieces and nephews she was close to, especially Tammy Neuendorf and Dick and Ny Yerkes. There were many others touched by her care, work ethic, and generosity that will never be forgotten.


Visitation/Memorial service will be in Kearney, Missouri on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Crossroads Community Church and on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Prairie Creek Christian Church from 2-4pm.


In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations in honor of Ronda Walker to Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900 giving@crazyhorse.org or the Kearney Senior Center at 600 N Jefferson St, Kearney, MO 64060. Any personal donations received will be used by the family to figure out this new normal without our rock and protector Nene.


The family also asks that you spread the word on the importance of organ donation and pray that you 'register' if you feel led to. Ronda enjoyed 12 solid years with Lonny after his lung transplant that she would not have otherwise. To sign up in Iowa, click HERE.