Wilma Burdett

Wilma Maria Salisbury Burdett, was born Sept 15th 1911, she died May 30th 2011, at age 99. She was born and raised in Independence, Missouri. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). In 1932 she served a mission in California. After returning home she entered and won the LDS Church-wide speech contest, winning a scholarship to BYU where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in Clothing and Textiles in 1936. On August 6th that same year she married Benjamin Burdett in Independence, Missouri, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple; he died in 2005 at age 95.

Wilma had multiple talents and she loved to learn. She would attempt just about anything. She was musical, wrote poems as well as some fun songs for her family and friends. She loved crafts, loved to sew, knit, and make chocolates; she truly was a Jack of all trades. About age 70 she decided to learn Spanish, and she also took guitar lessons. At 90 she wanted a computer so she could do email and genealogy. Wilma was always optimistic and loved to laugh, she was fun loving but was also respected for her knowledge and wisdom. She was an avid reader, a scholar of Mormon doctrine and the Bible, and during her life, she held almost every position available within the LDS Church for women.

She is survived by her 3 children, Ben Burdett (Barbara), Joan Burdett, Sue Burdett, (Cliff Billingslea), 8 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Goodbye to a wonderful Mother, fun Grandma, loving Aunt, a caring friend; and someone who taught us all to be better people.

Funeral service will be held on Monday June 6, 2011 11:00am at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, where friends may visit with the family on Sunday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and also on Monday morning from 9:30am to 10:40am prior to the services. Interment: Elysian Burial Gardens. Online memories and comments to the family may be posted at www.holbrookmortuary.com