Kathryn Ann “Cookie” Burdge, 83, of Liberal, peacefully passed away on Aug. 7, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Nov. 30, 1942, in Tazewell, Va. to Lloyd and Catherine Johnson. She and her family moved to Liberal in 1953.
Kathryn graduated from Liberal High School in 1956. She went on to pursue a career in cosmetology at Venus Beauty Academy in Wichita, where she worked for many years.
In 1961, she married Jesse Andrade, and together they were part-owners of the 54 Café & El Patio, a cherished family business. Later, Kathryn worked locally for Amoco Production and Enron/Northern Natural Gas Co. She also owned and operated Kathryn’s Paint & Wallpaper.
On August 18, 1979, she married the love of her life, John Thomas Burdge, in Liberal. Together, they shared 46 beautiful years of marriage and raised three children.
Kathryn was a dedicated and loving mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially adored her role as Mom and Grandma. Her face would light up whenever her grandchildren walked into the room. She had a vibrant personality and a quiet calm, but also a fierce determination to protect those she loved and fix challenges for anyone who asked for help.
While faith and family were her first priorities, she was always there for anyone who needed a listening ear. She became a beloved "second mom" to her children’s friends and her own friends' children. A devoted friend to all who met her, her hand was always extended to pick someone up if they were down. She was deeply passionate about cooking and making sure everyone was well-fed. No one was ever turned away from her home if they needed a hot meal. She made countless dishes that everyone craved – her enchiladas and rum cake were absolute favorites — and she was a giving, loving person to her very core.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Tom Burdge; her loving children, Deanna Maes (Liberal), Mike Andrade and his wife, Jodi (Olathe), and Jon Andrade and his wife, Teresa (Olathe); her cherished grandchildren: Jordan Stuckey and her husband, Ryan, Jessica Morris and her husband, Beau, Melissa Andrade, Justin Andrade and his wife, Callee, Mason Andrade, Bailey Andrade, Ella Andrade, and Harper Andrade; and her great-grandchildren: Cash Morris, Hudson Morris, Shepard Morris, Maverick Morris, and Roland Stuckey, Reme Andrade, Quincy Andrade, and two sister, Debbie Harvey, and Ginny Gilmore
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings: Lloyd Johnson Jr., Lucile Johnson, Kenny Johnson, and Jim Johnson.
• Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 1510 N. Calhoun Ave. in Liberal.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Liberal. Family and friends are invited to gather for a reception immediately following the mass at the Liberal Country Club, 339 W. 18th St., Liberal, KS 67901, from 12 to 3 p.m.
Flowers and plants are warmly welcome at the services. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Kathryn' s honor, the family suggests donations to two organizations very close to her heart: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Astra Day School the Kansas City Autism Training Center (www.astradayschool.org).
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center Cardiac Care Unit for their exceptional care and compassion during her final days..
Paid obituary
