Debbie Joy (Morton) Kendall, 62, Burlington, died peacefully at home on Jan. 24, 2014, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on Aug. 21, 1951, in Beloit, to the late Nelson Joy ‘Buzz’ and Marion Morton. A lifelong resident of Burlington, she graduated from Burlington High School in 1969. She married her high school sweetheart, Tom Kendall, on Jan. 17, 1970, at Cross Lutheran Church, Burlington.
She was a member of the Burlington Jaycettes, and was Jaycette of the year in 1978. She retired in 2005 after working nearly 18 years as a CSR at the Racine Journal Times, surrounded by Gardettos, chocolate, diet Coke, and her wonderful friends at work.
She was a devoted and selfless wife and mother, dedicating the totality of her life to her children, husband, and family. She modeled and instilled in her children the values of compassion, patience, and fortitude, and shared happiness and peace with all. She brought immense joy and laughter to her sister, often at her own expense. She lived to spend time with her family and especially loved being a grandmother to her grandchildren.
She loved and was an impassioned advocate for the well being of all animals, but especially dogs. She loved to gamble the penny slots, defended and fought for the underdog, and always saw the positive in both people and life. The door was always open to her house and to her heart; walking into her home was knowing you were loved and warmly welcomed.
She was everything to her family: the cornerstone upon which our family was built and nurtured, our emotional anchor, the star in our evening sky that always burned brightest. There is no way to measure the depth of our loss or the importance of her role in our family. She will live on with every selfless act, with every soft word in our children’s ears, with every tender caress, and with every wag of a dog’s tail; her love and example will guide us in everything, always.
There was no better daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, mema, grandma, fighter, and rock star.
Survivors include her husband; children, Kevin (Jessi) Kendall, Kyle Kendall, Kelly Kendall, Keith (Annette) Kendall, Tracy Kruzicki; her sister, best friend, and partner in crime, Laurie (Jim) Peterson; grandchildren, Jesse Kruzicki, Claudia Kline, Aidan Kline, Logan Kendall, and her namesake, Olivia Joy Kendall; nieces and nephews, Leslie (John) Hotvedt, Jaimie (Mike) Deans; great-nieces and nephews, Jenna and Hailey Hotvedt, Evan, Zachary, and Brady Deans; her brother, Bob (Pat) Morton, and nephew and niece Scott (Lisa) Morton and Jenny (Tom) Sieker.
She was further preceded in death by her father-in-law, Edward Kendall; and brother-in-law, Edward Kendall II.
The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Paul Webber and staff, Dr. Syed Haider and staff, and to their own, Jaimie Deans.
A memorial service is Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m., at Cross Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carolyn Sellers officiating. Relatives and friends can visit with the family on Monday, Jan. 27, from 4-8 p.m., at Cross Lutheran Church, then again on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 10-11 a.m., at the church. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Burlington, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
Memorials to Lakeland Animal Shelter, Elkhorn, or American Cancer Society lung cancer research are suggested.
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