Marilyn Sue Burkey, 72, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, surrounded by her loving family.

Marilyn was born on April 24, 1954, in Loveland, Colorado, the cherished daughter of Otis “Les” and June (Johnston) Wolf. She attended and graduated from high school in Tacoma, Washington, carrying with her a warmth and curiosity that would stay with her all her life. In the years that followed, she moved often, living in Hawaii, settling for a time in Cleveland, Ohio, and later returning to Washington, always finding a way to make wherever she lived feel like home. In the late 1970s, she made her way to the Overton area, where she worked for Plectron and, later, Holme’s Plumbing, earning the affection of everyone she met along the way. Marilyn was blessed with three children: Kristin, Blake, and Andrew.

On February 24, 1996, Marilyn was united in marriage to Dennis Burkey in Las Vegas, Nevada, and welcomed his son, Brice. The couple later moved to the Kearney area, where she worked for Slumberland Furniture for several years before retiring. Most recently, she and Dennis were fulfilling their dream of traveling together. Marilyn held a deep and personal relationship with Christ, and her faith was the quiet strength beneath everything she did, carrying her through every joy and every hardship with grace.

To many, she was one of the kindest and most caring people they had ever met. For many summers in her younger years, she tutored students, and she was always the first to lend a hand to a neighbor or student in need. She had a gift for making a house feel like home, decorating with care so that everyone who walked through her door felt warm and welcome. She loved traveling with her family, collecting an interesting rock at every stop along the way and capturing photographs to frame and treasure for years to come. With a keen eye and patient hand, she could turn an old, neglected piece of furniture into something beautiful again, a gift she shared generously with everyone around her.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dennis Burkey of Lexington; her children, Kristin Furstenberg of Kearney, Blake (Ember) Olmstead of Mitchell, Nebraska, and Andrew (Yui) Olmstead of Dallas, Texas; her stepson, Brice Burkey of Lexington; her siblings, Lloyd Wolf of Springfield, Missouri, Jolene (Ron) Kennicutt of Paxton, Nebraska, and Scott Wolf of Lincoln; her grandchildren, Schuyler Feddersen, Micah Feddersen, Jacallyn Furstenberg, Greta Olmstead, Naomi Olmstead, Royce Olmstead, and Wyatt Olmstead; her faithful dog, Roona; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends, all of whom will carry her memory, and her love, forward.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and June Wolf.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Rex Adams officiating. The service will be livestreamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Inurnment will be held after the service at the Overton Cemetery.

Memorials are kindly suggested to be made to the Dawson County Cancer Care Fund or to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com