Rhonda's Slideshow for her Memorial Service

Here are the links to Rhonda's Slideshow from her Memorial Service. We had to break it into two parts.

For those of you not able to be at one of the memorial services, and also for us to watch again.

Please pass on the word that we have posted this.


Thanks for sharing in our wonderful memories of an amazing woman. Can't wait to see her again, hopefully very soon!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viTx8Vqi0rc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiB6E2Sxkkk

Memory Time

We thought it would be a great idea if anyone would like to write a memory of Rhonda and put it here on the blog. Maybe it is something that touched you from the memorial service, maybe a story from years ago to make us remember and laugh. It's good therapy for each of us to write these things out, it also is good for Ron and the rest of us family to enjoy.

Memorial Service in Kalispell

The memorial service in Montana is on

Tuesday, January 5th

at noon

at Christian Center

255 Summit Ridge Drive • Kalispell • Montana 59901

When I get a chance later I will post some on the service in Placerville. It was a special day.

Graveside Service Today

Today we had a small, family only graveside service. It was a time for us to gather on the hill where Rhonda's earthly body was being laid to rest. It was a somber time, there is something not too reassuring to driving into the cemetery and seeing the hearse, the hole dug, chairs set up and a tent. It was surreal, that shouldn't be for us, that shouldn't be for Rhonda.

Along with her Burkey family there were her inlaws and sister in law from Montana. Her best friend since junior high and another close couple friend of Ron and Rhonda's. We all gathered as we watched the men in the group carry her coffin from the hearse to the tent. Becky shared a scripture for us all. Ken said he had a scripture to share but that Becky's was way better. We all got a little laugh in and then Ken shared another scripture and an amazing thought for us to remember. He reminded us that yes, we were burying her earthly body. But, her dying body was swallowed up by life. That is eternal life in Jesus her Lord.

Rob led us in a song, "Come unto me, all who are heavy laden, come unto me and I will give you rest." Wally prayed and we all cried.

All us girls had flowers to put on the coffin. We took turns walking up and laying our rose across it. Our time there was almost done, but one more important thing to do. Kelly, Katy, I and the girls headed over to Brenda's headstone which is only a few feet away, and we placed the rest of our red roses there.

Memorial Service

The memorial service is on Wednesday December 30th at noon.
Green Valley Community Church
3500 Missouri Flat Rd
Placerville, CA 95667

We will post in a few days when the memorial service in Kalispell will be.

Rhonda's with Jesus!

This morning, somewhere around 2-3 am. Rhonda finally got her Christmas Miracle. With Ron laying by her side and holding her hand. Rhonda was in the presence of Jesus.

We had a beautiful Christmas. We made sure we had fun, she would want that. We exchangd gifts and took silly cousin pictures outside like we had since they were little. We played games around the table and laughed. We had a lot to be thankful for. What a wonderful day of us all taking turns sitting in with her. What a great family, everyone had a part in it.

In the morning she was pretty awake and aware of the day. She knew it was Christmas. She recognizes everyone around her once she focused on you. When Becky walked in in the morning, she said, "Hi Becky." She gave us detailed instructions on how to move her, complete with a "on 1 - 2 - 3." Through out the day she declined real fast. But she was very talkative. It seems as she was so busy in her brain. She was making plans. I like to think she was talking to her guardian angel. She kept talking about what they were going to do and where they were going to go.

One of the best parts, I think, was when most of her nieces and nephews were hanging out around her, and she was praying out loud. She keep saying the words to the old song we used to sing years ago. She had every word down.

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms shall all past away,
But, there's something about that name"

After that she just kept saying "In Jesus name, Jesus name, Jesus name."
What a great life and love for her Savior she was showing us all.

Another time she was saying "she was going to the house" and "Brenda was in the house". No doubt to us where she was going and who she was going to see when she got there, Jesus and Brenda, among others.

I will post later details of memorial services. We'll have have one for her family and friends in Placerville and another for all her Montana family and friends in Kalispell. It shouldn't be too hard putting it together, Rhonda already planned it. You know, Rhonda the planner!

Message from Becky

This morning Becky sent out this text message.
Just thought I would share it.

Merry Christmas!

Always remember that life is a

precious gift from God and must be cherished.

Love the ones your with this Christmas with all your heart.