Nancy Burton

Nancy Sue Burton, 76, of Topeka, passed away on September 25, surrounded by family.

Nancy lived a vibrant and full life. She was born on February 10, 1942, the youngest daughter of Ira and Margaret Haskett. She grew up in the small town of Parsons, Kansas.

She was a beauty in high school, graduated from St. Patrick's high school, and fell in love with a farm boy named Don Cukjati from Franklin, Kansas.

They married directly after she attended one year at Labette Community College. He began his Army career and together they began a family that traveled the world. She put her entire heart into raising her children and loving her Army officer husband.

No matter where life took them, she created memories with her family. She never forgot the terrifying earthquake in Alaska or the never ending sunshine of Indonesia. And whether it was beaming on the arm of Major Cukjati at the Army ball, creating elaborate dinners for her family, or sewing clothes for her children, she put her entire heart into her role as wife and mother.

Even after the pain of divorce, she found love again with SFC Woody Burton. She described her first dance with him as full of electricity, a feeling she couldn't shake for days.

Together, they created a new life. They lived in Germany and Kentucky. She loved playing piano, dancing, shopping and sewing.

Despite the life they made together, her heart always yearned to be closer to her kids and grandkids. So they retired together in Topeka, Kansas. He filled their home with clocks as he became fascinated with tinkering and repairing them. She would roll her eyes and laugh whenever someone asked her what time it was.

After Woody passed away in 2010, she felt like a piece of her heart was missing. But she never lost that sparkle in her eyes or that mischievous sense of humor. She made friends at her new apartment at Atria Hearthstone and doted on her cat, George.

She was always fiercely loved. Even at the end, her family travelled to be near her.

She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Florence Haskett of Emporia; 3 children and their spouses, Donna (Frank) Mullis of Wamego, Dr. Debra (Richard) Isaacson of Topeka, John (Rebecca) Cukjati of Hutchison; a step daughter Heather Fleener of Kentucky, and 3 step-sons, Charles, James, and Robin. 2 nieces, Sally Boone and Brenda Haskett Wiley, 2 nephews, Dwayne and Jim Haskett; 12 grandkids; 12 step-grandkids, and 4 great-grandkids.

A visitation and reception will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 28, 2018 at Parker-Price Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Fort Riley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VA Medical Center and in the memo line please note VA Horticulture Center, 2200 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66622.

To share a memory of Nancy or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.