Alberta Burkett

Burkett, Alberta Irene (Maricle), 89, retired cartographer, died October 7, 2015. She was born to Ray and Blanche Maricle on August 6, 1926, on a farm near Corwin, KS. She was raised in Harper and graduated from Harper High School in 1945. She married the love of her life, Dale O. Burkett, on October 3, 1948, in Harper. They started their life together in Salina and moved to Wichita in 1964. She was an active and faithful member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church for over 50 years where she sang in the church choir, participated in the women’s group and attended weekly Bible studies. It is hard to tally how many thousands of pounds of homemade chicken and noodles she made over her lifetime for her family and friends and the annual church dinner, but she was always happy to do so. Widowed at the age of 46, she expanded her role as mother and homemaker to include working at Bleier’s IGA and later, Kansas Blue Print, while continuing to volunteer endless hours for her children and grandchildren through Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the Wichita Public Schools as PTA member, room mother, field trip chauffeur, and reading tutor. She was a great cook and avid reader, instilling both interests in her children, and she loved to dance. She took great pride in all her family, devoting her life and love to them and her many friends. She was known to all as a loving wife and mother, a kind and caring woman, and a true friend. Preceded in death by her husband, Dale (January 8, 1973); her infant daughter, Diane Marlene; her son-in-law, Michael Downing; her four siblings, Evelyn, Robert, Stella, and Freddy; and countless family and friends. Survivors include children, Jan Martens of Topeka, Alice Downing of Dunlap, IL, Gail Burkett (Dan Umansky) of Wichita, Glenda Burkett of Wichita, and Alan Burkett (Brian Allender) of Wichita; grandchildren David Downing (Denise) of Castle Pines, CO, Angela Griffith (Matthew) of Coronado, CA, Benjamin Umansky of Fairfax, VA, and Emily Umansky (Chris Newlin) of Wichita; great-grandchildren Morgan, Lauren & Owen Downing and Olivia & Michael Griffith. Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Monday, October 12, 2015 at Broadway Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at West Side United Methodist Church, followed by graveside services at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Memorials have been established with the American Heart Association and the Wichita Public Library Foundation for the new Advanced Learning Library. Share online condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.

Visitation

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Monday, October 12, 2015 Place: Broadway Mortuary Chapel
1147 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211

Graveside Service

Time: 1:00pm, Tuesday, October 13, 2015 Place: White Chapel Cemetery
1824 N. Oliver, Wichita, KS 67208

Burial

Place: White Chapel Cemetery
1824 N. Oliver, Wichita, KS 67208

Memorials

American Heart Association
8630 E 32nd Ct N.
Wichita, KS 67226

Wichita Public Library Foundation
223 S. Main
Wichita, KS 67202

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