Isabelle Marie Valburg

July 23, 1937 - January 26, 2022

Isabelle Marie Valburg, 84, of Holton, passed away at her home on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the last few scraps of her finally plucked away by Alzheimers.  She was born on July 23, 1937 in Jackson, MN to Louis and Esther Lynch.

Isabelle grew up at a very young age.  Her father died suddenly when she was 12, and she began contributing to the household income with her paper route.  She was a scrappy, ornery child, often getting into mischief, a trait she did not tolerate in her children, but adored in her grandchildren.  Isabelle loved learning and reading, and dreamed of becoming a doctor, but could only scrape together enough money for one year of college.  This year would enable her to become either a nurse or (only in rural South Dakota) a teacher.  She chose to become a teacher, and took a position in a one-room schoolhouse near Winner.  Along the way, a roommate dragged her to a dance in a church basement.  It was there that Lonnie Valburg spotted her as she walked down the stairs, and to this day, he can still describe every detail of that moment.  They eloped in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1960.  The couple made their home in South Dakota, Isabelle commuting to work on horseback.  There, they welcomed daughter Lisa before moving to Holton, Kansas in 1964.

Isabelle became a full-time ranch hand and child wrangler after their move, raising five children.  She was driven and passionate, and put her absolute all into parenting.  She made sure that all of her children got everything she wished that she had had as a child, including self confidence.  She loved their ranch, animals, her gardens and flowers, and her family (with a special love for her nieces and nephew).

Isabelle was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton, where she taught generations of children in Sunday school, The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the Pleasant Valley Neighbors Club.  She rarely missed the extracurricular events of her children. In addition, she baked legendary cookies.  She made over 25,000 cookies (conservative estimate) for school functions, church activities and family gatherings.

In her final years, Isabelle was lovingly cared for at home by her husband.  Twice a day, every day, the grandson of one of their original Kansas neighbors would come to the home, and together, the two cowboys tended to her, providing a level of care unrivaled by that of high level care facilities.  The family would like to thank Kevin Stauffer, and Freedom Hospice for the care, support and love that both Isabelle and Lonnie were given.

Survivors include her devoted husband Lonnie, of the home, and four daughters; Lisa Valburg (Keith) of Paola, KS, Joan Valburg (Okan) of Lawrence, KS, Rebecca Milner (Travis) of Silver Lake, KS, and Anne Valburg (Ryan) of Lawrence, KS, as well as four beloved grandchildren.

Isabelle was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Don and Jim, and her son Christopher.  

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family requests any donations be made to Freedom Hospice of Hiawatha, KS.