Wendell Leroy Burden, 69, died Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Olathe Medical Center of lung cancer. His loving wife of 35 years, Kathleen (Rogers) Burden was by his side.
Born in Presque Isle, Maine on January 1, 1946 to Guy and Alta Crawford Burden, Wendell was the youngest of three sons. He was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Keith and Herman.
Wendell was a graduate of the University of Maine, with a degree in History, and was a member of ROTC. He joined the Maine Army National Guard, where he later met and married his wife Kathleen. Together they moved to the Midwest where he joined the Kansas Army National Guard. He retired at the rank of Major after serving 24 years. Following his career in the Army he worked for Sprint, in Overland Park, retiring in 2013.
His passion for the outdoors included gardening, fishing, camping and boating, but his real talent was expressed in the entertaining and colorful stories he spun for his family and friends. He also served on the board of trustees at the Lyndon United Methodist Church, which he attended with his family. His dedication to the American Legion was instrumental in revitalizing Gardner Post 19, creating a vibrant post that thrives today. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, where he mentored his son Jacob and positively affected the lives of many Scouts. Recently, his enjoyment came from building out a ranch homestead, his "heaven on earth".
Wendell is survived by many loved ones, his wife Kathleen (Rogers) Burden of Vassar, KS; his daughter Laura Burden of Portland, ME, and her children Sebastian, Griffin and Isabella; daughter Erin (Burden) Massey, husband Jayson Massey of Lyndon, KS, and their daughter Alexandra; son Jacob Burden of Manhattan, KS.
Visitation for Wendell will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Feltner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 2:00pm at the Lyndon United Methodist Church, with Military honors to follow at his and Kathleen's home. Cremation will follow services. The family asks in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in Wendell's name to Boy Scout Troop #315 in Olathe, KS to provide a summer camp scholarship to the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Please make checks payable to Boy Scout Troop #315 in care of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 15315 W. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062