Jean M. Burdett Lackey was born at Wakefield, Kansas on September 30, 1921, and departed this earth on May 19, 2021 in Seneca, Kansas.  She was born the daughter of Albert Philip and Ada Mae Clayton Berlin and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1939.  Following high school, she studied nursing  at Christ Hospital, (later becoming Stormont-Vail Hospital) in Topeka.  She graduated as a registered nurse in 1943.

On September 4, 1943, Jean married John W. Burdett at Centralia, Kansas.  Jean worked in base hospitals while John was serving in the Navy. She learned to be a farm wife when they returned to Centralia to raise their family.  Jean did some special duty nursing at the Seneca Hospital and worked as the school nurse for school district #380. 

After John passed away on March 30, 1983, Jean continued to reside on the edge of Centralia.  On April 14, 1986 she married Raphael J. “Ray” Lackey, moving to Seneca.  Ray died on April 14, 1993.

Jean was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Seneca and St. Ann’s Altar Society and was a former member of the United Church of Christ in Centralia where she served in various offices of the church Women’s Fellowship organization and was a Sunday school teacher.  She was also a member of Lis’ N Learn Extension Unit and other clubs in Centralia and the Harmony Homemakers Extension Unit in Seneca. For many years, Jean volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Mobile at Seneca, and in 1996, assisted in organizing the Cancer Support Group.  

Jean will be remembered as: devoted to her family, a caring neighbor, sending many encouraging notes and greeting cards, enjoying reading local newspapers, and interested in community activities, especially those medically related.

Jean is survived by her children, with John, Kathy (Harry) Steinfort, Bill (Jeanniene) Burdett, Barbara (Neil) Shea, and Ellen (Steve) Walker.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.  Additionally, she is survived by Ray’s children, Jim (Arlene) Lackey, Gary (Betty) Lackey and Mary Grace (Ron) Boland who adopted her into the Lackey family, providing her with countless opportunities to enjoy one family or the other throughout many years.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Betty King Amburg and Phyllis Trautwein, two brothers, George Berlin and Robert Berlin, two husbands, one grandchild, and one great-great grandchild. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM on Monday, May 24th at Sts.Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.  Burial will be in the Centralia City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at Lauer Funeral Home on Sunday, May 23rd from 5PM to 8PM; with the Rosary being prayed at 7 PM.

Memorials will be designated at a later date. 

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .