Paula Burda

Keller Texas - Paula Jean Burda, March 29, 2024

Paula passed away on March 29, 2024, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Paula was born September 23, 1949, to Harold and Faye Beanblossom Leggett of Potter, Nebraska.  Living with her older brother Rodney and younger sister Gail.  Paula attended Potter schools though her sophomore year of high school.

Her father worked as a carpenter and relocated the family to Manteca, California in 1964. Paula attended Manteca high school and graduated in 1967. She attended Delta college for two years earning her associate arts degree.

In 1966. Her family was visiting relatives in the February, Nebraska area and her cousin lined up a blind date for her with Melvin Burda which started their four-year friendship between California and Nebraska.

In 1970. Mel joined the Nebraska National Guard and was sent to basic training and advanced training to Fort Ord in CA. Paula visited Mel several times with her friends.  Mel proposed to Paula the night he completed his basic training.  They were married on December 20,1970 in Manteca.

The couple moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where Mel completed his bachelor’s in science in teaching -chemistry.  Paula worked at retail stores and a nursing home to help support them. Paula gave birth to their son Phillip Melvin on May 31, 1972 . The family moved to Chester, Nebraska for a teaching position with the Chester-Hubbell schools teaching chemistry, physics, and junior high sciences.  Paula continued to work to help support the family. Paula gave birth to their second child Danniell Elizabeth on August 7, 1974.

The family moved to Wavery, Nebraska March 1976 where Mel was employed by Burlington Northern as a carman welder and later as a car foreman. In September of 1977 the family moved to Burlington, Iowa to continue his railroad career as an environmental engineer.  While in Burlington, Paula started her bakery “Paula’s Place”. She made wedding cakes, specialty cakes and decorated cookies for the community.  She also became a master player of Pac-man. Sometimes the laundry just had to wait.

While in Burlington, Paula gave birth to their son Nicholas Andrew on September 12, 1979, and their daughter Megan Annalee on December 7, 1980.

In January 1985, their family moved to Billings, Montana for the railroad. The family enjoyed the outdoors including traveling to Yellowstone National Park and Custer’s last battlefield several times.

In October 1986 Paula and family moved to the Seattle area and lived in Bellevue, Washington and again enjoyed the scenery and great outdoors. Paula enjoyed being a homemaker and became a master player of Tetris.

 In1988 the family moved again to Overland Park Kansas for Mel’s career. Paula was involved in school functions, church functions, including organizing a quilting group for our church. Paula decorated cakes for a local grocery store and friends for several years.

On March 4, 1994, Paula, and family, minus the oldest son Phil, move to Keller, Texas.  Again, following Mel‘s career with the railroad. She became very involved in the Bear Creek Quilt Guild and became president of the organization. She also became very active at Keller United Methodist Church and joined several service groups like the Sisters of Sewing, Prayer Covering Ministry and the Crafty Crafters.  

In 1999 , Paula started a custom quilting business called “Sew Creative”.  She continued her quilting business for over 20 years before retiring.  Paula had started quilting at an early age.  She gave away hundreds of quilts that she had made over the years.  During the Covid pandemic Paula personally sewed over 4000 cloth masks and gave them away to whoever needed them. They were sent to many states beyond the community.

In February 2022 Paula was informed that she had a growth covering her pancreas which started her  cancer journey. She started chemotherapy therapy on July 12, 2022, and continued to close to her death. Paula could not stand being idle, so she established another hobby, making stocking caps.  In a year and a half, she made over 400 of them giving them away to fellow cancer patients, neighbors, and the church to support the various groups that she belonged to. 

Paula was brave and courageous and to the very end. She welcomed everybody with a smile and knew who was there visiting her. Paula was a very talented person and  loved her family and friends dearly.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, brother Rodney and daughter Megan Annalee.  She is survived by her husband Mel, sons Phil and Nick and daughter Danniell Smith, her husband Alvin who have Paula’s grandchildren Savanna, Dusty, Maddox and Ashley.

A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday May 7, 2024, at the Keller United Methodist Church, 1025 Johnson Road, Keller, TX at 7 PM to celebrate this caring and loving person.  The service will be remotely viewable on a website to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, Paula wished for you to contribute to Keller UMC Resource Center food bank or your favorite charity in her name.