OBITUARY: Barbara Carol Waltner (Burdette)

Barbara Carol Waltner (Burdette) passed away peacefully on March 7, 2021, in Wichita at the age of 79.

Barb was born on Dec. 25, 1941, in Wichita, to Lester and Audrey Burdette (Powell). She grew up on the family farm near Valley Center, and came to love school, music, marching band, dogs and riding horses. Barbara met her husband, Robert (Bob) Waltner at Bethel College and they were married at Kechi United Methodist Church in 1965. Soon after marriage, the couple moved to India where Barb taught middle grades at Woodstock School. Their oldest son, Gordon, was born while in India. After returning to Kansas, Barb and her husband welcomed their sons Steve and James into the world while Barb taught preschool at Wichita Collegiate. Later, she and Bob moved to Taiwan where Barb taught kindergarten at an international school. There she touched many lives while making friends throughout the world.

Barb returned to Kansas and retired with her husband in Mulvane, close to her mother, Audrey, and her brother, Bob. While retired from teaching, she enjoyed being a Mary Kay consultant along with her sister, Fran. Throughout her life, Barb was a loving person who cared deeply for others. She loved gardening and cooking and enjoyed sharing her home with family and friends. She is deeply missed by all who knew her.

Barbara is preceded in death by her father, Lester Burdette and son, Gordon Waltner. She is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Steve and James;, mother, Audrey Burdette; brother, Bob and wife, Elaine Burdette; sister, Fran Siemens; brother-in-law, John and wife, Mary Jane Waltner; sister-in-law, Carol Waltner; daughters-in-law, Pam Waltner and Kyoko Waltner; grandchildren, Hailey, Matthew, Tyler and Eucaly and many uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita at a later date.

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